J Capkova1, P Ivanyi, Z Rehakova. 1. Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague. capkova@biomed.cas.cz
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ankylosing enthesopathy (ANKENT) with progressive stiffening of ankle and tarsal joints of the hind limbs is a naturally occurring arthropathy in B10.BR mice. Some features are similar to those of the spondyloarthropathies in humans. OBJECTIVE: To study the role of sexual dimorphism and testosterone in the development of ANKENT. METHODS: The incidence of ANKENT was observed in non-castrated, castrated, and testosterone substituted castrated male mice, and in control and testosterone treated female mice. RESULTS: ANKENT occurred only in males; it did not develop in males castrated at age 2-3 months but occurred in castrated males injected with testosterone. Females injected with testosterone did not develop ANKENT. CONCLUSION: Testosterone can replace what castration eliminates, at least in the postpubertally castrated males, but is itself not sufficient to induce joint disease.
BACKGROUND:Ankylosing enthesopathy (ANKENT) with progressive stiffening of ankle and tarsal joints of the hind limbs is a naturally occurring arthropathy in B10.BR mice. Some features are similar to those of the spondyloarthropathies in humans. OBJECTIVE: To study the role of sexual dimorphism and testosterone in the development of ANKENT. METHODS: The incidence of ANKENT was observed in non-castrated, castrated, and testosterone substituted castrated male mice, and in control and testosterone treated female mice. RESULTS:ANKENT occurred only in males; it did not develop in males castrated at age 2-3 months but occurred in castrated males injected with testosterone. Females injected with testosterone did not develop ANKENT. CONCLUSION:Testosterone can replace what castration eliminates, at least in the postpubertally castrated males, but is itself not sufficient to induce joint disease.
Authors: Maurizio Cutolo; Bruno Seriolo; Barbara Villaggio; Carmen Pizzorni; Chiara Craviotto; Alberto Sulli Journal: Ann N Y Acad Sci Date: 2002-06 Impact factor: 5.691