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Testosterone increases TSH-beta mRNA, and modulates alpha-subunit mRNA differentially in mouse thyrotropic tumor and castrate rat pituitary.

Abstract
TSH, LH and FSH, the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones, are each composed of a common alpha-subunit and a hormone specific beta-subunit. Testosterone is known to regulate all three intact hormones differently in the rodent. However, there is only one gene encoding the common alpha-subunit. In order to elucidate the effects of testosterone on TSH subunit synthesis and its regulation of the common alpha-subunit, two in vivo models were studied: castrate rat pituitary was used as a gonadotropin-enriched tissue; and mouse thyrotropic tumor was used as a thyrotropin-enriched tissue. Male castrate rats were treated with testosterone propionate, 500 micrograms/100 g BW, sc, for 11 days. Testosterone increased plasma TSH to 131% of control values (P less than 0.02), while plasma LH fell to undetectable levels, and plasma alpha-subunit fell to 14% of control values (P less than 0.001). Testosterone increased TSH-beta mRNA to 237% of control values (P less than 0.02), while alpha-subunit mRNA fell to 20% of control values (P less than 0.001). Hypothyroid mice bearing thyrotropic tumors were treated with testosterone propionate, 150 micrograms/100 g BW, sc, for 11 days. In this model plasma TSH-beta and alpha-subunit concentrations are 1000-fold higher than in non-tumor bearing animals, and the contribution of pituitary gonadotropes to plasma subunit concentrations is negligible. "Total" TSH-beta and alpha-subunit concentrations were estimated as one-half of intact TSH plus the respective free subunit concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
AuthorsD S Ross
JournalHormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme (Horm Metab Res) Vol. 22 Issue 3 Pg. 163-9 (Mar 1990) ISSN: 0018-5043 [Print] Germany
PMID1693130 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit
  • Glycoproteins
  • Gonadotropins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Testosterone
  • Thyrotropin
Topics
  • Animals
  • Gene Expression
  • Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit (genetics)
  • Glycoproteins (metabolism)
  • Gonadotropins (genetics)
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Orchiectomy
  • Pituitary Gland (metabolism)
  • RNA, Messenger (genetics)
  • Rats
  • Testosterone (genetics)
  • Thyroid Neoplasms (genetics)
  • Thyrotropin (biosynthesis, blood, genetics)
  • Time Factors

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