Actions of vertebrate sex hormones.

A review of actions of vertebrate sex hormones is presented. The main topics of discussion are: 1) intracellular proteins binding sex hor mones and their metabolites (estrogen uptake by intact normal cells; upt ake of estrogens by mammary gland, and by mammary and other tumors; ster eospecific estrogen-binding proteids in responsive tissues; uptake of androgens by animal cells and formation of 5alpha-androstane and other derivatives; 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone-binding proteids; disposition of progesterone in various tissues); 2) testicular feminization syndrome; 3) effects of sex hormones on organ cultures, with comments on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and cell division in relation to tissue growth; 4) estrogen-mediated pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase reactions; 5) intracellular "2nd messengers" and sex hormone action (polyamines); 6) physiological actions of 5beta-hydrogenated steroid metabolites and effects of sex hormones on erythropoiesis; 7) influences of sex hormones on structure, metabolism, and functions of reproductive organs (ribonucleic acid - RNA - and protein synthesis; RNA preparations and genital tissue growth; androgens and cation-activated adenosinetriphosphatase reactions; uptake of glucose and glycogen synthesis; mitochondrial reactions; gonadal hormones and sebaceous glands); and 8) medieval Chinese protoendocrinology.