Biological Effects of Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone
The testosterone-receptor complex is responsible for gonadotrophin regulation, spermatogenesis, and virilisation of the Wolffian ducts during embryogenesis, whereas the dihydrotestosterone-receptor complex mediates external development during embryogenesis and most aspects of virilisation at puberty (Fig. 11.12). Analysis of single-gene mutations in man and animals indicates that a single-receptor protein mediates the action of both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The reason that dihydrotestosterone formation amplifies hormone action may be due to the fact that it binds to the receptor more tightly.
