Previous studies have shown that the central nervous system is able to convert testosterone into 17-beta-hydroxy-5-alpha-androstan-3-one (DHT), by the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. The data here presented show that, in the brain of the rat and the mouse of both sexes, the 5-alpha-reductase activity is more concentrated in the subcortical white matter than in the hypothalamus and in the cerebral cortex. The enzymatic activity is apparently higher in the rat than in the mouse brain. The formation of DHT in the subcortical white matter, in the hypothalamus and in the cerebral cortex of both rats and mice does not show any sexual difference. Moreover, in the rat no effect of short- or long-term castration or neonatal castration or testosterone replacement could be observed on the formation of DHT in the three brain structures considered (even in the subcortical white matter, the cerebral tissue more active in converting testosterone into DHT). The present data support the view that the 5-alpha-reductase present in the brain is not under androgenic control.

The 5 alpha-reductase activity of the subcortical white matter, the cerebral cortex, and the hypothalamus of the rat and of the mouse: possible sex differences and effect of castration / R. C. Melcangi, F. Celotti, A. Poletti, P. Negri-Cesi, L. Martini. - In: STEROIDS. - ISSN 0039-128X. - 49:4-5(1987), pp. 259-270. [10.1016/0039-128X(87)90003-1]

The 5 alpha-reductase activity of the subcortical white matter, the cerebral cortex, and the hypothalamus of the rat and of the mouse: possible sex differences and effect of castration

R.C. Melcangi
Primo
;
F. Celotti
Secondo
;
A. Poletti;P. Negri-Cesi
Penultimo
;
L. Martini
Ultimo
1987

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the central nervous system is able to convert testosterone into 17-beta-hydroxy-5-alpha-androstan-3-one (DHT), by the action of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. The data here presented show that, in the brain of the rat and the mouse of both sexes, the 5-alpha-reductase activity is more concentrated in the subcortical white matter than in the hypothalamus and in the cerebral cortex. The enzymatic activity is apparently higher in the rat than in the mouse brain. The formation of DHT in the subcortical white matter, in the hypothalamus and in the cerebral cortex of both rats and mice does not show any sexual difference. Moreover, in the rat no effect of short- or long-term castration or neonatal castration or testosterone replacement could be observed on the formation of DHT in the three brain structures considered (even in the subcortical white matter, the cerebral tissue more active in converting testosterone into DHT). The present data support the view that the 5-alpha-reductase present in the brain is not under androgenic control.
Animals ; Hypothalamus ; Sex Factors ; Brain ; Mice ; 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase ; Orchiectomy ; Cerebral Cortex ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Strains ; Testosterone ; Dihydrotestosterone ; Species Specificity ; Female ; Male
Settore MED/04 - Patologia Generale
Settore MED/13 - Endocrinologia
Settore BIO/09 - Fisiologia
Settore BIO/13 - Biologia Applicata
1987
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/182747
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