The leptomenix in normal baboon brain contain receptors for dihydrotestosterone but not estradiol

There exists a sexual dimorphism in the occurrence of meningiomas. Biochemical binding assays conducted on samples of meningiomas have indicated a high incidence of progesterone and androgen receptors in these tumors. However, similar studies have been very controversial as to the existence of estrogen receptors in these tumors. The present study was conducted to determine whether the normal leptomenix contains estrogen and androgen receptors in a primate model, namely the baboon. Three male and three female baboons were injected with either 3H-dihydrotestosterone (3H-DHT) or 3H-estradiol. One animal from each group received 3H-steroid + 100-fold unlabeled corresponding steroid to serve as control. One hour after injection of the 3H-steroids the animals were sacrificed. Their brains were removed and processed for autoradiography. Nuclear uptake and retention of 3H-DHT and/or one of its metabolites was found in 25-50% of the cells in pieces of the arachnoid adhering to the brain, cells of the glial membrane, cells in large fiber bundles, presumably oligodendroglia, and cells lining the Virchow-Robins spaces. No such localization was found with 3H-estradiol. This study provides the first anatomical evidence for the presence of androgen receptors in the normal leptomenix and glial cells of the baboon. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible clinical significance of the use of steroids to modulate the growth of meningiomas.