THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE ON CELL PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION IN THE SMALL BOWEL (original) (raw)

SUMMARY

The action of testosterone on the cell kinetics of the small bowel was studied in the castrated male mouse. The parameters of the cell cycle were measured using the labelled mitoses method. No difference was found between cell cycle parameters in testosterone-treated castrated animals compared with castrated controls.

Crypt cell kinetics were studied by measuring the distribution of labelled and mitotic nuclei using a computer programme. The labelling and mitotic indices were significantly raised in the testosterone-treated animals. There was also a significant upward displacement of the cut-off position in the testosterone-treated group, indicating an increase in the size of the proliferative compartment, and thus an increase in growth fraction. This change in growth fraction was confirmed by calculation from the labelled mitoses results, and is considered to be the mechanism by which testosterone stimulates cell proliferation in the small bowel of the castrated mouse. The action of testosterone on the growth fraction may constitute an important component of the general mitogenic effect of the hormone on both target and non-target tissues.