Metabolism and effects of testosterone in the spinal cord from Wobbler mice, after treatment with exogenous testosterone

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients present motoneu ron degeneration leading to muscle atrophy, dysphagia and dysarthria. The Wobbler (WR)-ALS mice, a recognized model of this disease, shows a selective loss of motoneurons, astrocytosis and microgliosis in cervical spinal cord (CSC). The incidence of ALS is greater in men; however it increases in women after menopause, suggesting a role of sex steroids in ALS.