J Endocrinol 1984 Jan;100(1):13-8
Balthazart J, Schumacher M
Testosterone metabolism in the brain and pituitary and cloacal glands of male and female Japanese quail was studied in vitro during sexual maturation (from 1 day to 5 weeks after hatching). The production of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in the hyperstriatum and cloacal gland and that of androstenedione in the cloacal gland of males was highest at 1 day after hatching, which could be related to the peak of plasma androgens previously demonstrated in neonatal quail. 5 beta-Reductase activity was very high in the brain, but not the pituitary or cloacal glands of young chicks and decreased markedly, especially in the hypothalamus, during sexual maturation. As 5 beta-reduced metabolites of testosterone are inactive androgens, it is suggested that the decrease of 5 beta-reductase activity with age corresponds to a potentiation of the effects of testosterone at the level of the brain.
PMID: 6317782, UI: 84089428
© Jacques Balthazart, 1998 - 2000