Abstract
Maternal administration of a selective inhibitor (2α-cyano-4,4,17α-trimethylandrost- 5-en-17β-ol-3-one) of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and Δ4,3-ketosteroid isomerase feminizes mammary development in male fetuses by causing the appearance of nipples, but virilizes mammary development in female fetuses by inhibiting nipple development. This study has been made to determine whether testosterone or corticosterone given to analog-treated pregnant rats may alter these effects. Testosterone prevents the effects of the analog in male fetuses. This observation suggests that inactivation of the testicular dehydrogenase system by the analog leads to insufficient endogenous Δ4,3-ketoandrogen (testosterone) production, which is necessary for inhibition of development of the nipple in the male. Corticosterone prevents the effects of the analog in female fetuses. This probably is due to inhibition of fetal ACTH-mediated adrenal enlargement, and the consequent adrenal overproduction of 3β-hydroxyandrogens. (Endocrinology86: 1169, 1970)
Published Version
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