Effects of androgen treatment on the male rat aorta.

Androgen was given to male rats to determine if it exerted effects on the aortic wall distinct from those of estrogen deficit. Although a general anabolic effect was avoided, significant vascular effects were observed. The amounts of mural fibrous proteins, elastin and collagen, were significantly increased in treated animals; noncollagenous, alkali-soluble protein, thought to reflect the cellular component, was unchanged with treatment. These effects were not detectable on microscopic examination and measurement of the vessel wall despite attempts to duplicate closely in vivo wall dimensions before study. These findings of distinct and marked effects of androgen on vascular metabolism extend the growing evidence for an important role of sex hormones in vessel wall structure and function.