Metabolism and binding of androgens in the spinal cord of the rat

The binding of 3H]androgens and estrogens, and the metabolism of 3H]androgens, were studied in the spinal cord of the adult rat. High-affinity, specific binding sites for 3H]testosterone and 3H]estradiol were detected in cytosol fractions from the spinal cords of castrate animals. Equilibrium dissociation constants for reaction of these sites with their respective ligands were similar to those of androgen and estrogen receptors from other regions of the central nervous system. Nuclear binding of 3H]estradiol was observed in the spinal cord 1 h after intravenous administration of the isotope. Likewise, exchange assay demonstrated the presence of high-affinity androgen binding sites in spinal cord nuclei from orchidectomized, testosterone propionate treated animals. 5 alpha-Reductase activity in homogenates of the spinal cord was relatively high, approximately 3 times that in the pooled hypothalamus, preoptic area, septum and amygdala. However, in contrast to the latter brain regions, estrogen formation was not detectable in spinal cord tissue. No sex differences were observed in the metabolism of 3H]testosterone by spinal cord homogenates. These results confirm the presence of androgen and estrogen receptors in the rat spinal cord. The lack of detectable aromatase activity in the spinal cord is consistent with the hypothesis that the effects of circulating testosterone on spinal reflex function are mediated primarily through the androgen receptor system.