Possible testosterone redundancy for 5α-dihydrotestosterone in the masculinization of mouse external genitalia.

ABSTRACT: The development of embryonic external genitalia (eExG) into characteristic male structures, such as urethra and penile erectile tissues, depends on 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Although the corpus cavernosum (CC) is well known as essential for erectile function in adults, its developmental process and its dependency on DHT have been unknown. To reveal the dimorphic formation of the murine CC from the embryonic stage, we first analyzed the production of the protein vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (FLK1) via its expression (hereinafter referred as "expression of FLK1") and the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and collagen type 1 (COL1A1) in developing external genitalia. The 5-α reductase type 2 encoded by the SRD5A2 gene has been suggested to be a crucial enzym

SUBMITTER: Ueda Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9671772 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature