Specificity of neonatal, androgen-induced imprinting of hepatic steroid metabolism in rats

The specificity of the neonatal, androgen induced, irreversible programming of hepatic steroid metabolism in the rat was investigated. 5α Dihydrotestosterone propionate and estradiol benzoate were as efficient as testosterone proprionate in inducing a male type of liver metabolism in the adult animal, whereas epitestosterone proprionate, etiocholanolone proprionate, and o,p DDT were practically inactive in this respect. These findings indicate that different mechanisms are involved in neonatal imprinting of hepatic steroid metabolism and in the well known neonatal androgenic and estrogenic induction of persistent estrus and acyclic gonadotropin secretion.