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Effects of Dihydrotestosterone on Brain mRNA Levels of Steroid 5α-Reductase Isozymes in Early Postnatal Life of Rat

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Abstract

We studied the expression of type 1 (5α-R1) and type 2 (5α-R2) 5α-reductase isozymes (5α-R) and their regulation by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prefrontal cortex of male and female rats during postnatal sexual differentiation of the central nervous system (CNS), using one-step quantitative RT-PCR coupled with laser-induced fluorescence capillary electrophoresis. We found a higher expression of 5α-R2, which is considered a masculinizing enzyme, in the female versus male CNS, and observed sexual dimorphism in the regulation of both 5α-R isozymes by DHT. These results open up a new research line that could improve understanding of the role of 5α-R isozymes in the physiology of the CNS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of␣Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de Madrid s/n, Granada, Spain

    Pilar Sánchez, Jesús M. Torres & Esperanza Ortega

  2. Institute of Neurosciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Jesús M. Torres & Esperanza Ortega

Authors
  1. Pilar Sánchez
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  2. Jesús M. Torres
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  3. Esperanza Ortega
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Correspondence to Esperanza Ortega.

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Sánchez, P., Torres, J.M. & Ortega, E. Effects of Dihydrotestosterone on Brain mRNA Levels of Steroid 5α-Reductase Isozymes in Early Postnatal Life of Rat. Neurochem Res 30, 577–581 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-005-2692-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-005-2692-2

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