Item – Theses Canada

OCLC number
1006908955
Author
Monks, Douglas Ashley,1973-
Title
Regulation of motoneuronal calcitonin gene-related peptide by testosterone in the rat spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus : an in vivo immunocytochemical study.
Degree
M.A. -- Simon Fraser University, 1998
Publisher
Ottawa : National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, [1999]
Description
1 microfiche
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has previously been reported to be regulated by testosterone in the Spinal Nucleus of the Bulbocavernosus (SNB). The locus of androgenic regulation of CGRP expression within SNB motoneurons remains unclear, as the SNB is a component of a highly androgen sensitive neuromuscular circuit, with multiple possible targets for androgenic action. The present research utilizes a mosaic paradigm to test the hypothesis that the intracellular androgen receptor of SNB motoneurons regulates CGRP expression directly in this cell population. Females heterozygous for the testicular feminization (tfm) androgen receptor mutation were androgenized perinatally to rescue the SNB and were implanted at sixty days with silastic capsules containing testosterone or nothing. Mosaic females were sacrificed six to eight weeks following implantation and spinal sections containing SNB motoneurons were immunolabeled simultaneously for CGRP and androgen receptor. Testosterone was found to decrease the proportion of CGRP immunoreactive SNB motoneurons only in cells immunolabeled for functional androgen receptor. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
ISBN
0612375897
9780612375895