Regulation of Neurosteroideogenic enzymes after testosterone treatment in the spinal cord of the Wobbler mouse, a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ESPERANTE, IVÁN; MEYER M; BANZÁN, CAROLINA; LIMA, ANALIA; ROIG PAULINA; GUENNOUN RACHIDA; DE NICOLA, ALEJANDRO F; GONZALEZ DENISELLE MC

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta SAIC, SAI&FAIC, SAFIS.; 2022

Progressive degeneration of upper and lower motoneurons characterizes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which triggers muscle weakness and motor impairment. The Wobbler (WR) mouse, a model of ALS, displays a selective loss of motoneurons, astrocytosis and microgliosis in cervical spinal cord (CSC). Clinically, WRs develop forelimb muscle atrophy and gait disturbances. Previous work has shown that testosterone (T) treatment to WRs reduces microgliosis and astrogliosis, and increases ChAT+ motoneurons and oligodendrocytes in CSC. T binds to androgen (AR), estrogen and Sigma1 receptors (S1R) after bioconversion into several metabolites. Now, we investigated the effects of T on mitochondrial steroidogenic enzymes. T were implanted s.c. in 10 mm silastic tubes for 2 months to male WRs or controls (CTL). WRs or controls without T treatment received empty silastic tubes. T treatment increased seminal vesicles (p