A differential nuclear uptake and retention of 3H-androgens in the thyroids of baboons. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Women have a greater incidence of autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid cancer and radiation-induced carcinogenesis than men. Over the past several years we have examined for the presence of steroid receptors in both humans and non-human primates. In this study we examined the nuclear uptake and retention of 3H-testosterone, the main circulating androgen in mammals, in different cells of the thyroid gland of baboons, our non-human primate model. Castrated-adrenalectomized male baboons were injected with 3H-testosterone (1 microgram/kg bw) and killed 1 1/2 h later. The thyroid glands and other tissues were removed and processed for autoradiography. Nuclear localization of 3H-testosterone or one of its metabolites was found in a small fraction of the follicular cells (approximately 10-20%). The discrepancy between these findings and those previously obtained with 3H-dihydrotestosterone (virtually 100% of the follicular cells concentrated the 3H-steroid) are discussed. The results from this study and those of the past strongly support a direct action of androgen on the thyroid. Whether a direct action of androgen on the thyroid is related to smaller incidence in autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid cancer and radiation-induced carcinogenesis in men than women remains an unanswered question at the present time.

published proceedings

  • J Endocrinol Invest

author list (cited authors)

  • Sheridan, P. J., Aufdemorte, T. B., Triplett, R. G., Holt, G., & Martin, P. M.

citation count

  • 2

complete list of authors

  • Sheridan, PJ||Aufdemorte, TB||Triplett, RG||Holt, G||Martin, PM

publication date

  • September 1988