Androgenic action of glucocorticoids on the granular ducts of mouse submandibular glands.

The administration of cortisol acetate and dexamethasone to castrated-adrenalectomized mice increased the submandibular gland weight, the granular duct cell size of the gland and the number of androgen-dependent granules detected with the staining for tryptophan in the duct cell. These changes were not as pronounced as when testosterone propionate was given. Similar effects on the duct cells and an increase in androgen-dependent esteroprotease activity of the submandibular glands were observed in castrated mice, but not in mice with testicular feminization which are genetically deficient in androgen receptors. These results suggest that glucocorticoids exert a certain degree of androgenic action on the granular duct cell through androgen receptors when androgens are absent or deficient.