Study showing that male mice lacking 5 alpha-reductase type 1 appeared normal

Rudolphus

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Study found that male mice congenitally lacking 5AR type 1 appeared normal

An interesting study here carried out on mice who were 5AR type 1 deficient congenitally. This should be of interest to Dutasteride users: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/mend.10.4.8721983. The PDF isn't available, but I was able to read the abstract, which I've pasted below.

Abstract:

Two steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes designated type 1 and 2 synthesize 5 alpha-reduced androgens and other 5 alpha-reduced steroid hormones. Naturally occurring mutations in the gene encoding 5 alpha-reductase type 2 cause male pseudohermaphroditism, indicating that this isozyme is responsible for the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone required for virilization of the embryonic male urogenital tract. To determine the physiological role of 5 alpha-reductase type 1, homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells was used to produce male and female mice with a disruption (null allele) in the type 1 gene (Srd5a1). Male mice lacking 5 alpha-reductase type 1 appear normal. Females exhibit a parturition defect that is maternal in origin. The parturition defect is reversed by administration of 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (3 alpha-Adiol), a 5 alpha-reduced androgen previously thought to be a breakdown product. Enzymes that synthesize 3 alpha-Adiol, including 5 alpha-reductase type 1 and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, are induced in wild type uterus during late gestation. Induction leads to peak circulating levels of 3 alpha-Adiol on days 17/18 of gestation in wild type but not mutant mice. The results document a role for 5 alpha-reduced androgens synthesized by the type 1 isozyme in normal female physiology, and they suggest that 3 alpha-Adiol is a new hormone required for parturition in mice.

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Oh, I just realized the study is very old, from 1996. Interesting and relevant nonetheless though.
 

hellouser

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No wonder mice always grow hair.
 

xRedStaRx

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"Appear normal"? That doesn't sound very scientific.

Research dutasteride or MK-386 effects on humans instead. It decreases insulin sensitivity, and eye moisture AFAIR.

I'm sure it has more implications though. But 5-AR I and III have much less function post puberty in adults as I understand.

Accutane side effects might also give you a peak.
 

qerqrqwrqwr

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Mice always grow hair.

If you fed them meat and potatoes they would "re-grow" hair.

Meat and potatoes now a hair loss solution.
 

Rudolphus

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"Appear normal"? That doesn't sound very scientific.

Research dutasteride or MK-386 effects on humans instead. It decreases insulin sensitivity, and eye moisture AFAIR.

I'm sure it has more implications though. But 5-AR I and III have much less function post puberty in adults as I understand.

Accutane side effects might also give you a peak.

Yes, but these mice were 5AR 1 deficient right from the very beginning of their existence. This study shows that despite being congenitally completely deprived of 5AR 1, the male mice appeared to be completely normal. Of course, they could have had some kind of unknown neurological damage, but there was nothing that was evident to the researchers. It is a shame we can't see the whole article, because presumably the mice were tested for a lot of different possible defects and found to have none. I may try to figure out if I can get the whole article, because the abstract doesn't give too much information.
 

abcdefg

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I mean its something showing some safety for say dutasteride but mice and humans are different in a lot of ways too. Otherwise we wouldnt bother testing drugs on humans afterwards. I think its safe to say ideally male pattern baldness can be treated topically and avoid this giant mess altogether I mean we could be studying this stuff for the next 20 years and not know all of it especially at the pace it moves
 

uncomfortable man

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Why don't you ask John Steinbeck the difference between mice and men? Jeez I'm sick of this shait.
 
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