Dihydrotestosterone and estradiol deplete corticosensitive thymocytes lacking in receptors for these hormones

The sex steroids dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol (E2), were found to deplete the same cortical population of thymocytes as the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DM) in intact and in adrenalectomized, castrated mice. Although receptors for DM were demonstrated in this cortical population, none were found for E2 or DHT. We suggest that the sex steroids bind to other thymic elements, possibly thymic reticular epithelial cells, which may in turn act secondarily on cortical thymocytes, or their precursors within the thymus.