Induction of male sexual behavior in the rat by 7α-methyl-19- nortestosterone, an androgen that does not undergo 5α-reduction

31Citations
Citations of this article
9Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The synthetic steroid 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT) binds with high affinity to the androgen receptor and exerts biological effects at some peripheral target tissues with a potency greater than that of naturally occurring androgens. In vivo, MENT does not undergo enzymatic 5α-reduction and as a consequence, its biologic action on prostate and other organs of the male reproductive tract is not amplified as is that of testosterone (T). Thus, in castrated rats, a dose of MENT that will maintain normal muscle mass and gonadotropin levels will not maintain normal prostate and seminal vesicle weights. To investigate the ability of MENT to restore male sexual behavior in castrated rats, varying doses of MENT acetate were administered for 4 wk by use of s.c. mini-osmotic pumps. Animals treated with T acetate (200 μg/day) and nontreated intact animals served as positive controls, while a group of animals receiving vehicle alone were the negative controls. Steroid acetates are rapidly converted to T and MENT in blood. Appropriate steroid delivery was assessed by measurement of serum androgen concentrations. Male behavioral parameters were recorded twice per week. At the end of treatment, the weights of sex accessory organs were also recorded. The administration of MENT acetate at daily doses of 100 μg and 10 μg induced full copulatory behavior in a manner similar to that observed with doses of 200 μg T acetate. Analysis of detailed parameters of sexual activity revealed that the higher dose of MENT (100 μg/day) restored full ejaculatory behavior comparable with that observed in nontreated intact animals, whereas animals receiving 10 μg/day MENT exhibited longer ejaculation latencies and postejaculatory intervals that were similar to those of T acetate (200 μg/day) treated animals. It is significant that the lower dose of MENT acetate (5 μg/day) was also able to stimulate ejaculatory behavior in most animals, although in a smaller proportion of tests and with longer latencies. The results demonstrate that MENT acetate was highly potent in promoting sexual behavioral activity as determined in castrated rats. We conclude that activation of male sexual behavior in rats does not require A-ring reduction of the androgen molecule.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Morali, G., Lemus, A. E., Munguia, R., Arteaga, M., Perez-Palacios, G., Sundaram, K., … Bardin, C. W. (1993). Induction of male sexual behavior in the rat by 7α-methyl-19- nortestosterone, an androgen that does not undergo 5α-reduction. Biology of Reproduction, 49(3), 577–581. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod49.3.577

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free