Effect of Gonadectomy on the Androgen-Dependent Behavior of Ganglion Cell-Like Cells in Djungarian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Ganglion cell-like (GL) cells reside in the dermis of the ventral skin of mature male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sugorus) and express androgen receptor (AR). To assess whether GL cells have androgen-dependent behavior, we evaluated the histologic changes of GL cells after gonadectomy. Five male and 5 female hamsters were gonadectomized at the age of 4 wk and necropsied 14 wk later. The number, distribution, and proliferative activity of GL cells in the thoracoabdominal and dorsal skins were evaluated histologically and compared with those of corresponding intact animals. GL cells were more numerous, were distributed throughout the skin more widely, and had higher proliferative activity in the intact male hamsters than in their gonadectomized counterparts. Similar trends regarding these 3 parameters were seen in ovariectomized compared with intact female hamsters and between intact male and intact female hamsters. These results suggest that the GL cells of Djungarian hamsters demonstrate sex-associated differences in their distribution and proliferative activity and that androgen may be involved in the development of these cells.