Biomaterial Database

Effects of a prenatal androgen peak on rat brain sexual differentiation. 1986

A Perakis, and F Stylianopoulou

Exposure of the developing female brain to a 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone surge on day 18 of gestation resulted in defeminization and slight masculinization of the brain. In contrast, abolition of the androgenic effects of the testosterone peak naturally occurring in male fetuses on day 18 of gestation by exposure of the developing male brain to cyproterone acetate, at that time, resulted in demasculinization while feminization was not affected. On the basis of these results, we suggest that both the prenatal testosterone peak and the high testosterone levels occurring in males neonatally are necessary for aromatization sufficient to effect complete male rat brain sexual differentiation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D003534	Cyproterone	An anti-androgen that, in the form of its acetate (CYPROTERONE ACETATE), also has progestational properties. It is used in the treatment of hypersexuality in males, as a palliative in prostatic carcinoma, and, in combination with estrogen, for the therapy of severe acne and hirsutism in females.	Cyproterone, 1alpha,2 alpha,9 beta,10 alpha-Isomer
D005260	Female		Females
D000726	Androgen Antagonists	Compounds which inhibit or antagonize the biosynthesis or actions of androgens.	Androgen Antagonist,Antiandrogen,Antiandrogens,Anti-Androgen Effect,Anti-Androgen Effects,Antiandrogen Effect,Antiandrogen Effects,Antagonist, Androgen,Antagonists, Androgen,Anti Androgen Effect,Anti Androgen Effects,Effect, Anti-Androgen,Effect, Antiandrogen,Effects, Anti-Androgen,Effects, Antiandrogen
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012725	Sexual Behavior	Sexual activities of humans.	Anal Sex,Oral Sex,Sexual Activity,Sexual Orientation,Premarital Sex Behavior,Sex Behavior,Sex Orientation,Sexual Activities,Activities, Sexual,Activity, Sexual,Behavior, Premarital Sex,Behavior, Sex,Behavior, Sexual,Orientation, Sexual,Sex, Anal,Sex, Oral
D012733	Sex Differentiation	The process in developing sex- or gender-specific tissue, organ, or function after SEX DETERMINATION PROCESSES have set the sex of the GONADS. Major areas of sex differentiation occur in the reproductive tract (GENITALIA) and the brain.	Differentiation, Sex,Sexual Differentiation,Differentiation, Sexual
D013196	Dihydrotestosterone	A potent androgenic metabolite of TESTOSTERONE. It is produced by the action of the enzyme 3-OXO-5-ALPHA-STEROID 4-DEHYDROGENASE.	5 alpha-Dihydrotestosterone,Androstanolone,Stanolone,17 beta-Hydroxy-5 beta-Androstan-3-One,17beta-Hydroxy-5alpha-Androstan-3-One,5 beta-Dihydrotestosterone,5-alpha Dihydrotestosterone,5-alpha-DHT,Anaprotin,Andractim,Dihydroepitestosterone,Gelovit,17 beta Hydroxy 5 beta Androstan 3 One,17beta Hydroxy 5alpha Androstan 3 One,5 alpha DHT,5 alpha Dihydrotestosterone,5 beta Dihydrotestosterone,Dihydrotestosterone, 5-alpha,beta-Hydroxy-5 beta-Androstan-3-One, 17
D017373	Cyproterone Acetate	An agent with anti-androgen and progestational properties. It shows competitive binding with dihydrotestosterone at androgen receptor sites.	Androcur,Cyproterone Acetate, (1 alpha,2 alpha)-Isomer,Cyproterone Acetate, (1 alpha,2 alpha,9 beta,10 alpha)-Isomer,Cyproterone Acetate, (17 alpha)-Isomer