The comparative abilities of 3 naturally occurring androgens to compete for [3H]estradiol-17 beta ([3H]E2)-binding sites in uterine cytosol and to induce uterotrophic responses in immature female mice have been investigated. 5 alpha-Androstane-3 beta,17 beta-diol (3 beta-diol), 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol) and 5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol (delta 5-diol) are all effective at diminishing cytoplasmic [3H]E2 binding. Their relative effectiveness are in the order of 3 beta-diol greater than delta 5-diol = 3 alpha-diol. When these steroids were injected intramuscularly (two 100-200 micrograms injections) into immature female mice (21 days old), they induced similar elevations of uterine dry weight, water content, cytosolic estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor contents, and nuclear ER content as did estradiol-17 beta (E2). 3 beta-Diol was the most effective steroid at inducing cytosolic and nuclear ER, and PR production in mouse uterus. Followed in effectiveness was delta 5-diol and 3 alpha-diol. Unexpectedly, 3 beta-diol was found to be more potent than E2 in stimulating uterine ER and PR increases. Nonetheless, the androgens are poorer stimulators of uterine dry weight increase and water retention than E2 is. These results indicate that the androgens may interact with the ER system in the uterus to bring about the uterotrophic responses and 3 beta-diol is a more estrogenic steroid than delta 5-diol and 3 alpha-diol in the mouse uterus.