SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC DUCT SYSTEM OF THE SUBMANDIBULAR-GLAND IN MOUSE WITH TESTICULAR FEMINIZATION MUTATION (TFM/Y)

The X-linked testicular feminization mutation (Tfm/Y) in the mouse is characterized by androgen insensitivity of the target cells. The aim of this study was to examine sexually dimorphic development of the submandibular gland of Tfm/Y mutant mice in comparison with those of wild-type male, wild-type female and heterozygous Tfm female mice. In either 30- or 90-day-old wild-type male mice, the granular convoluted tubules (GCT) of the glands were more developed, and the relative occupied areas (ROA) of GCT were superior to those of the age-matched wild-type and heterozygous Tfm females. In androgen-insensitive Tfm/Y mice, the glandular structures rather resembled the female glands. showing lower values of the ROA of the GCT. Sex differences in the mitotic rate were observed at 30 days of age, being significantly higher in the wild-type male GCT than in the female GCT. Thereafter, the mitotic rate of the wild-type male GCT declined to the female levels by 90 days of age. The mitotic rate of GCT in Tfm/Y mutants was as low as those of the females during observation periods. An other three regions, the acini, the intercalated ducts and the excretory striated ducts, were not significantly different in either the ROA or the mitotic rate among wild-type males and females, and Tfm/Y. On the other hand, either the ROA or the mitotic activity of GCT of the glands in Tfm/Y mutants was completely unaffected by 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The glands of heterozygous Tfm females were responded to DHT, but the ROA of their GCT was inferior to those in wild-type females, showing the mosaic expression of the X-chromosome inactivation in heterozygous Tfm females. The present study suggests that in androgen-insensitive Tfm/Y mice, both the glandular structures and the mitotic activities were rather similar to those of the females.