Abstract
SEXUAL differentiation of the brain is believed to be mediated by exposure to testicular androgens at a critical period of development—prenatal in most species, but during the first 5 d after birth in rats. Only those androgens which are potential substrates for aromatising enzymes (that is, those which can be converted to oestrogens in vivo) are effective1–4. These observations led to the concept that masculinisation of the brain is caused by local conversion of androgens to oestrogens.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brown-Grant, K., Munck, A., Naftolin, F., and Sherwood, M. R., Horm. Behav., 2, 173–182 (1971).
McDonald, P. G., J. Reprod. Fert., 25, 309–310 (19731).
McDonald, P. G., and Doughty, C., J. Reprod. Fert., 30, 55–62 (1972).
McDonald, P. G., and Doughty, C., J. Endocr., 61, 95–103 (1974).
McDonald, P. G., and Doughty, C., J. Endocr., 55, 455–456 (1972).
Gorski, R. A., Am. J. Physiol., 205, 842–844 (1963).
Whalen, R. E., and Nadler, R. D., Science, 141, 173–180 (1963).
Coniglio, L. P., Paup, D. C., and Clemens, L. G., J. Endocr., 57, 55–61 (1973).
Paup, D. C., Coniglio, L. P., and Clemens, L. G., Horm. Behav., 3, 123–131 (1972).
Reddy, V., Naftolin, F., and Ryan, K. J., Endocrinology, 94, 117–121 (1974).
Weisz, J., and Gibbs, C., Neuroendocrinology, 14, 72–86 (1974).
Sheridan, P. J., Sar, M., and Stumpf, W. E., Endocrinology, 94, 1386–1390 (1974).
Raynaud, J. P., Mercier-Bodard, C., and Baulieu, E. E. Steroids, 18, 769–788 (1971).
Plapinger, L., McEwen, B. S., Clemens, L. E., Endocrinology, 93, 1129–1139 (1973).
Ginsburg, M., Greenstein, B. D., MacLusky, N. J., Morris, I. D., and Thomas, P. J., Steroids, 23, 773–793 (1974).
Korenman, S. G., Endocrinology, 87, 1119–1123 (1970).
Scatchard, G., Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 51, 660–672 (1949).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BARLEY, J., GINSBURG, M., GREENSTEIN, B. et al. A receptor mediating sexual differentiation?. Nature 252, 259–260 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252259a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/252259a0
This article is cited by
-
Ovariectomy increases the level of estrogen receptor mRNA and estrogen receptor binding sites in female rat adipose tissue
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation (1993)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.