The Androgen Receptor in the Fetal Epididymis Is Similar to That in the Mature Rabbit 1

Abstract

To provide insight into the mechanism of wolffian duct virilization the androgen receptor has been characterized in pooled epididymal tissue from Day 27 rabbit embryos. Although the receptor is present at levels about a tenth that of other androgen target tissues in rabbit embryos, it appears to be a typical androgen receptor in regard to sedimentation characteristics and preferential binding of 5α-dihydrotestosterone over testosterone. Thus, the mechanism by which testosterone virilizes the wolffian duct cannot be explained by unique binding characteristics of the androgen receptor in tissues derived from the wolffian ducts.