Virilization of the urogenital sinus of the tammar wallaby is not unique to 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol.
The androgen 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (5alpha-adiol) is synthesized in testes and secreted into plasma of male tammar wallaby pouch young and appears to virilize the urogenital sinus. To provide insight into its mechanism of action, a dose response study showed that administration of 1 microg 5alpha-adiol monoenanthate per g body wt. per week for 3 weeks to 24-day-old female pouch young induced prostate bud formation equivalent to that of males of the same age. Administration of this same dose of the enanthates of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and 5alpha-adiol to female pouch young caused equivalent virilization of the urogenital sinus. The fact that 5alpha-adiol does not exert a unique effect, together with our earlier findings in this species that 5alpha-adiol and testosterone are converted to dihydrotestosterone in the urogenital sinus and that virilization of the urogenital sinus is prevented by the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide, suggest that 5alpha-adiol is a circulating precursor for dihydrotestosterone formation in this tissue.
Leihy
M W
MW
Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Parkville, Australia.
Shaw
G
G
Wilson
J D
JD
Renfree
M B
MB
D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*
D000728:Androgens; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol