Original Paper

Anesthetic Pregnanes Counteract Androgen-Induced Defeminization
G. Gonzalez-Mariscal, A. Fernandez-Guasti, C. Beyer

Sección de Neuroendocrinología, Subjefatura de Investigación Científica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F., México

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuroendocrinology 1982;34:357-362 (DOI: 10.1159/000123328)

  Key Words

• Hypothalamic virilization
• Neonatal androgenization
• Neonatal rats
• Brain development
• 5-Pregnanes
• Anesthetic pregnanes
• Prevention of defeminization

  Abstract

The capacity of various pregnanes for counteracting androgen-induced defeminization was evaluated in an attempt to define some cellular mechanisms involved in the defeminization process. 5-day-old female rats received 60 µg testosterone propionate (TP) along with one of various pregnanes:progesterone, 5-pregnandione, 5,3-pregnanolone, 5,3-pregnanolone, 5-pregnandione, 5,3-pregnanolone, 5,3-pregnanolone or chlormadinone acetate. Protection against defeminization was defined as a significantly smaller proportion of anovulatory animals in a group compared to the control TP group. Data were analyzed at 60, 90 and 120 days of age. The anesthetic potency of the pregnanes was evaluated in 5-day-old male rats through the analysis of EEG and EMG records. Anesthetic pregnanes - progesterone, 5-pregnandione and 5,3-pregnanolone - counteracted defeminization while nonanesthetic pregnanes - 5-pregnanes, chlormadinone acetate and 5,3-pregnanolone - did not. The results show a clear relation between anesthetic capacity and protection against defeminization.

Copyright © 1982 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Carlos Beyer, Sección de Neuroendocrinología, Subjefatura de Investigación Científica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Apartado Postal 73-032, México 73, D.F. (México)

  Article Information

Received: July 27, 1981
Accepted after revision: November 2, 1981
Published online: March 26, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 12