[Study on the expression of androgen receptor in testis, epididymis and prostate of adult rats with diabetes].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if there is abnormal expression of androgen receptor (AR) in adult diabetic rats.


METHODS
The diabetic model rats were induced by using streptozotocin (STZ), which were divided into three groups: control (group C), diabetes (group D) and diabetes with insulin replacement group (group ID). The mRNA and protein expressions of androgen receptor in testis, epididymis and prostate were detected by Northern blot and radioimmunoassay, respectively.


RESULTS
Serum testosterone levels and AR mRNA in epididymis of group D or Group ID were lower than those of group C (P <0.05) , respectively, and the protein expression of AR in testis and prostate of group D was lower than that of group C (P <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of androgen receptor decreased in testis, epididymis and prostate of diabetic rats, which weakened the biological effects of AR, and it might be one of the causes that resulted in the sexual and productive dysfunction in diabetic rats.
Liu
Su-huan
SH
Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China. suhuanriver@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Zhong-shan
ZS
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen