Dihydrotestosterone Induces Arterial Stiffening in Female Mice

The study "Dihydrotestosterone induces arterial stiffening in female mice" demonstrated that the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) promotes arterial stiffening and cardiovascular damage in female mice. The research involved treating female mice with DHT and found that it decreased the expression of estrogen receptors in both cultured vascular cells and in vivo vascular tissue, leading to increased arterial stiffness, despite no change in blood pressure. DHT treatment also led to a dose-dependent increase in body weight and a decrease in vascular collagen content. These findings suggest that DHT may contribute to arterial stiffness, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, by downregulating estrogen receptors and altering vascular collagen content. The study involved 27-39 mice across different tests and has implications for transgender men, women using testosterone for fitness or reduced libido, and patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.