Effects of Prenatal Testosterone on Sexual Behavior, Reproductive Morphology and LH Secretion in the Female Rat
Abstract
Sexual differentiation of many brain structures and functions is dependent on levels of testosterone (T) or its metabolites during certain 'sensitive' developmental periods. If T is present during these perinatal periods, masculinization and defeminization of sexual behavior occur; also, reproductive physiology, and central nervous system morphology and function are altered. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the influence of T at specific prenatal developmental intervals on offspring reproductive morphology, physiology, locomotor activity and sexual behavior during postnatal development. To avoid complications induced by endogenous testicular activity, only females were examined. Free T was used because of its relative short half-life, so that the effects induced by its administration on a specific gestational day (GD) could be evaluated. Pregnant rats received a single subcutaneous injection of either sesame oil (controls) or 5 mg of T on GD 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, or 22. Female offspring of pregnant rats exposed to T displayed significant alterations in morphology and behavior. The anogenital distance, measured at 25 days postbirth, was significantly increased if T was administered on GD 16, 17 or 18. T treatment on GD 16 or each day thereafter through GD 20 significantly delayed the normal occurrence of vaginal opening (controls at 37.5 days vs. T treatment which ranged from 38.5 to 41.4 days). Abnormal vaginal morphology (enlarged clitoris) was also obs…
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Exposure to exogenous androgens permanently masculinizes females.
“Male fetuses exposed to antiandrogens during perinatal life are permanently demasculinized in their morphology and physiology, whereas exposure to exogenous androgens permanently masculinizes females.”
From Androgens and environmental antiandrogens affect reproductive development and play behavior in the Sprague-Dawley rat. (2002) · cites this paper as Rhees et al. 1997
Females exposed to androgens during the appropriate perinatal period can be masculinized in morphology, physiology, and behavior.
“Whereas perinatal exposure to androgens is essential for masculinization of males, numerous studies have shown that females exposed to androgens during the appropriate perinatal period can be masculinized in morphology, physiology, and behavior (Huffman and Hendricks 1981; Rhees et al. 1997; Thornton and Goy 1986; vom Saal 1979).”
From Androgens and environmental antiandrogens affect reproductive development and play behavior in the Sprague-Dawley rat. (2002) · cites this paper as Rhees et al. 1997
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Foecking, E. M., Szabo, M., Schwartz, N. B., & Levine, J. E. (2005) · Biology of Reproduction · doi:10.1095/biolreprod.105.039800 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome are diametric disorders
Dinsdale, N. L., & Crespi, B. J. (2021) · Evolutionary Applications · doi:10.1111/eva.13244 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
“Exogenous testosterone given during early to mid- gestation increases female AGD in diverse animal models including rodents, monkeys, and sheep (Abbott et al., 2012; DeHaan et al., 1987; Hotchkiss et al., 2007; Rhees et al., 1997).”
BackgroundHotchkiss, A. K., Ostby, J. S., Vandenburgh, J. G., & Gray, L. E. (2002) · Environmental Health Perspectives · doi:10.1289/ehp.02110s3435 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
“Whereas perinatal exposure to androgens is essential for masculinization of males, numerous studies have shown that females exposed to androgens during the appropriate perinatal period can be masculinized in morphology, physiology, and behavior (Huffman and Hendricks 1981; Rhees et al. 1997; Thornton and Goy 1986; vom…”
BackgroundPrenatal programming of the female reproductive neuroendocrine system by androgens
Robinson, J. (2006) · Reproduction · doi:10.1530/rep.1.00064 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Effects of prenatal hydrocortisone acetate exposure on fertility and sexual behavior in male rats
Pereira, O. C. M., Arena, A. C., Yasuhara, F., & Kempinas, W. G. (2003) · Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology · doi:10.1016/s0273-2300(03)00046-1 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Adult partner preference and sexual behavior of male rats exposed prenatally to betamethasone
Piffer, R. C., Garcia, P. C., & Pereira, O. C. M. (2009) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.05.003 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
- Authors
- Rhees, R. W., Kirk, B. A., Sephton, S., & Lephart, E. D.
- Affiliations
- Brigham Young University (US)
- Venue
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 1997-09-12
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 430-437
- ISSN
- 0378-5866 (ISSN-L)
- 1421-9859
- OpenAlex
- W2034533666
- Cited by
- 103
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Developmental Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- prenatal testosterone, sexual differentiation, female sexual behavior, reproductive morphology, luteinizing hormone secretion, anogenital distance, vaginal opening, clitoral enlargement, sensitive period, androgen exposure, female rats
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain Chemistry, Clitoris, Female, Luteinizing Hormone, Male, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Reproduction, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Sex Differentiation, Testosterone, Vagina, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Rats
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