Cerebellar deoxyribonucleases and DNA in the androgenized female rat.

Postnatal developmental patterns of activity for acid and alkaline deoxyribonuclease (DNase) were determined in the cerebellum of the androgenized female rat. Littermates were injected s.c. with either 1.25 mg testosterone propionate (TP) or vehicle 48 hours after birth. The enzymes and DNA content were measured in the cerebellum at 3, 6, 10, 15, 18, 22, 35, and 60 days of age. Neonatally administered TP affects neither the activities nor the developmental patterns of the DNases through age 60 days. However, the DNA content was significantly lower in the cerebellum of the TP-treated rats at ages 10 and 15 days. These data demonstrate that the TP-induced alterations in cerebellar DNA content are not mediated by acid or alkaline DNase.