Behavioral and somatic responses to the antiandrogen cyproterone*1

It seems that the (hypothalamic) androgen receptors for sexual behavior differ in their response to cyproterone from other androgens receptors, including the ( Hypothalamic] receptors for feedback regulation of gonadotropin.

Abstract

This study was designed to clarify the effects of the antiandrogen cyproterone on the sexual behavior of male rats, and the relationship of these to effects on various genital tissues. Systemic administration of cyproterone or cyproterone acetate or intrahypothalamic implantation of the free alcohol resulted in a stimulatory effect on sexual behavior. A more marked stimulation of the penile spines was found on systemic administration. An antiandrogenic effect on the spines was clearly demonstrable, but none could be obtained insofar as the behavioral response was concerned. Since the penile spines appear to be more sensitive to androgen than sexual behavior, these results cannot be explained simply by a weak androgenicity of cyproterone with consequent antiandrogenicity. In this respect it seems that the (hypothalamic) androgen receptors for sexual behavior differ in their response to cyproterone from other androgen receptors, including the (hypothalamic) receptors for feedback regulation of gonadotropin.