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A receptor mediating sexual differentiation?

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.

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BARLEY, J., GINSBURG, M., GREENSTEIN, B. et al. A receptor mediating sexual differentiation?. Nature 252, 259–260 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/252259a0

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