More about X‐linked testicular feminization of the mouse as a noninducible (is) mutation of a regulatory locus: 5α‐androstan‐3α‐17ß‐diol as the true inducer of kidney alcohol dehydrogenase and ß‐glucuronidase

A comparison of various androgenic steroids on +/Y ♂ and +/+♀ mice suggested that 5α‐an‐drostan‐3α‐17β‐diol, an intracellular metabolite of 5α‐dihydrotestosterone, is the true inducer of kidney alcohol dehydrogenase and β‐glucuronidase. The presence of a specific receptor protein (permease) for this inducer is doubtful. Instead, proximal tubule cells of the kidney appear to take in precursors of an inducer by pinocytosis. Only those cells which exhibit pinocytosis activity are inducible cells. It is suggested that an inducer reaches the cells of the embryonic Wolffian (mesonephric) duct in the same manner. No induction of kidney ADH and β‐glucuronidase occurred in Tfm/Y mice following the administration of 5α‐androstan‐3α‐17β‐diol.