Factors affecting estrogen signalization for FSH secretion in male and adrogenized or normal female rats

Factors affecting the FSH feedback mechanism in intact or androgenized females and intact males were studied by ovarian fragment implantation into the spleen. A pronounced sex difference could be observed in the ovarian hypertrophy after transplantation. Males as well as androgenized females as hosts responded more than intact females. On the other hand, ovaries originating either from normal or androgenized rats showed similar enlargement under the spleen capsule, regardless of their origin. It was concluded that the AS females have a deficit in the negative feedback signalization which seems to be due to the differences in hepatic degradation of the estrogens. Nevertheless, a change of the set-point for FSH in androgen sterile rats cannot be excluded.