Androgen receptor: role in the female lower vertebrate reproduction

Recent research provides a more detailed understanding of the androgen and androgen receptor system role in mammalian female physiology indicating the essential value in reproduction. Here, we summarize androgen and androgen receptor biochemical and immunohistochemical brain studies of different vertebrate classes and, in detail, our investigations conducted on the female of the seasonal breeders, the amphibian anura Rana esculenta and the reptile, Podarcis sicula. The results have been achieved seasonally through plasma steroid radioimmunoassay and brain androgen binding activity by biochemical identification as well by androgen receptor immunolocalization and neuroanatomical distribution. Taken together, the seasonal fluctuations and the signal intensity in the different target cells of established encephalic district extend knowledge of the central action of the androgen in the lower vertebrate providing considerable understanding of the physiology role of the androgen/androgen receptor system in the female lower vertebrate reproduction.