The primate spinal cord is a target for gonadal steroids

The nuclear uptake and retention of 3H-dihydrotestosterone (3H-DHT) or one of its metabolites was studied in the spinal cord of the rhesus monkey. Normally-cycling adult female rhesus monkeys which were castrated and adrenalectomized prior to the experiment were injected with 1 microgram of 3H-DHT (107 Ci/mmole)/kg body weight and killed 90 minutes later. The spinal cords were removed and segments processed for autoradiography. Nuclear uptake and retention were found in both the visceral and somatic motor systems and, in addition, in the nociceptive system. The data suggest a role for androgen in sexual reflexes and possibly pain perception at the level of the spinal cord in the primate and provide further support for a role of androgen in amyotropic lateral sclerosis.