The Mechanism Of Action Of Androgens (monographs On Endocrinology)

My introduction to androgens was neither auspicious nor impressive. I was sitting my viva voce examination for a degree in physiology and had haltingly intimated to my examiner (name decorously withheld) that I intended to pursue a career in re­ search. "On what topic?" was the reply. I had been deeply impressed by the work of C. Huggins and C. V. Hodges (Cancer Res. 1, 293, 1941) on the dramatic arrest of canine prostatic hyperplasia by the administration of stilboestrol. With some en­ thusiasm, I responded, "On steroid hormones, because I am struck by the profound effects that may be achieved by relatively small numbers of molecules. " The examiner sank into deep contemplation before replying, "Young man, have you considered go­ ing into teaching?" Suitably chastened, I finally began my research career investigating the effects of steroids on the nucleic acid metabolism of experimental tumours and on the process cells. Reaching an impasse in this work, I mentioned one of senescence in animal day to Dr. G. F. Marrian that, somewhat surprisingly, we had no understanding of the fundamental mechanism of action of steroid hormones, especially the androgens. me to tackle this problem, particularly since exciting new insights He encouraged were then being made into the interaction of radioactively labelled oestradiol-l?,8 with such tissues as rat uterus. Front Matter....Pages I-XI Introduction....Pages 1-4 Front Matter....Pages 5-5 Definitions....Pages 6-7 The Model for the Mechanism of Action of Androgens....Pages 8-9 Experimental Support for the Model....Pages 10-15 Limitations of the Model of Androgen Action....Pages 16-20 Conclusions....Pages 21-21 Front Matter....Pages 23-24 Relative Biological Activities of Testosterone and Its Metabolites....Pages 25-28 General Comments on the Metabolism of Androgens....Pages 29-31 Developmental Aspects of the Metabolism of Testosterone....Pages 32-37 Androgenic Responses Not Mediated by 5α-dihydrotestosterone....Pages 38-39 Interconversion of Steroid Hormones....Pages 40-41 Conclusions....Pages 42-42 Front Matter....Pages 43-43 The Uptake, Retention, and Release of Androgens: Studies on Rat Ventral Prostate Gland....Pages 44-77 The Binding of Androgens in Other Target Cells....Pages 78-91 Initial Biochemical Events Stimulated by Androgens....Pages 92-96 Conclusions....Pages 97-97 Front Matter....Pages 99-99 Early Biochemical Changes Stimulated by Androgens....Pages 100-105 A More Detailed Enquiry into Enzyme Induction by Androgens: Aldolase in Rat Prostate....Pages 106-107 Experimental Models for Studying Tissue-Specific Responses....Pages 108-115 Morphologic Aspects of Androgenic Stimulation....Pages 116-118 Front Matter....Pages 99-99 Conclusions....Pages 119-119 Front Matter....Pages 121-121 Cell Renewal and Morphologic Studies on the Mitogenic Activity of Testosterone and Its Metabolites....Pages 122-124 Biochemical Approaches to the Regulation of Mitosis in Rat Ventral Prostate Gland....Pages 125-132 Conclusions....Pages 133-133 Back Matter....Pages 135-179