Androgen receptor immunoreactivity is present in primary sensory neurons of male rats

WE have examined the distribution of androgen receptor (AR) immunoreactivity in L6 and S1 dorsal root ganglia of male rats in order to determine whether the sensory component of reflex circuits is likely to be androgen-sensitive. Nuclear AR immunoreactivity was present in almost half of the neurons, but was decreased markedly by castration; after castration nuclear staining was absent and a few neurons showed dim cytoplasmic staining. Of the neurons possessing AR, half also contained calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP); in turn, >80% of CGRP neurons contained AR. AR staining was present in both large and small CGRP neurons. This study shows that testosterone is likely to influence many sensory neurons and may therefore play an important role in modulating visceral and somatic reflexes. (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.