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Springer The Mechanism of Action of Androgens 1st Editon 2012 Softbound by W.I.P. Mainwaring
My introduction to androgens was neither auspicious nor impressive. I was sitting my viva voce examination for a degree in physiology and had haltingly intimated to my examiner (name decorously withheld) that I intended to pursue a career in re search. 'On what topic?' was the reply. I had been deeply impressed by the work of C. Huggins and C. V. Hodges (Cancer Res. 1, 293, 1941) on the dramatic arrest of canine prostatic hyperplasia by the administration of stilboestrol. With some en thusiasm, I responded, 'On steroid hormones, because I am struck by the profound effects that may be achieved by relatively small numbers of molecules. ' The examiner sank into deep contemplation before replying, 'Young man, have you considered go ing into teaching?' Suitably chastened, I finally began my research career investigating the effects of steroids on the nucleic acid metabolism of experimental tumours and on the process cells. Reaching an impasse in this work, I mentioned one of senescence in animal day to Dr. G. F. Marrian that, somewhat surprisingly, we had no understanding of the fundamental mechanism of action of steroid hormones, especially the androgens. me to tackle this problem, particularly since exciting new insights He encouraged were then being made into the interaction of radioactively labelled oestradiol-l?,8 with such tissues as rat uterus. I. A Contemporary Model for the Mechanism of Action of Androgens.- 1. Definitions.- 2. The Model for the Mechanism of Action of Androgens.- 3. Experimental Support for the Model.- 4. Limitations of the Model of Androgen Action.- 5. Conclusions.- II. The Metabolism of Androgens in Relation to Their Mechanism of Action.- 1. Relative Biological Activities of Testosterone and Its Metabolites.- 2. General Comments on the Metabolism of Androgens.- 3. Developmental Aspects of the Metabolism of Testosterone.- 4. Androgenic Responses Not Mediated by 5?-dihydrotestosterone.- 5. Interconversion of Steroid Hormones.- 6. Conclusions.- III. Initial Events in the Mechanism of Action of Androgens.- 1. The Uptake, Retention, and Release of Androgens: Studies on Rat Ventral Prostate Gland.- 2. The Binding of Androgens in Other Target Cells.- 3. Initial Biochemical Events Stimulated by Androgens.- 4. Conclusions.- IV.Early Events Stimulated by Androgens.- 1. Early Biochemical Changes Stimulated by Androgens.- 2. A More Detailed Enquiry into Enzyme Induction by Androgens: Aldolase in Rat Prostate.- 3. Experimental Models for Studying Tissue-Specific Responses.- 4. Morphologic Aspects of Androgenic Stimulation.- 5. Conclusions.- V.Late Events in the Mechanism of Action of Androgens.- 1. Cell Renewal and Morphologic Studies on the Mitogenic Activity of Testosterone and Its Metabolites.- 2. Biochemical Approaches to the Regulation of Mitosis in Rat Ventral Prostate Gland.- 3. Conclusions.- Overall Conclusions.- References.