Control Of Fat Mass By Male Sex Hormones

Abstract

Men have lower amounts of body fat than women, but are more likely to deposit fat around the stomach and abdominal region than women. This increased abdominal fat in men significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The differences between men and women suggest that there is hormonal control of fat development; however, little is known regarding how male sex hormones, androgens, control these processes. We will investigate how androgens control fat formation, and the response of fat and muscle tissue to glucose and insulin, using mutant mouse strains. These mouse strains have a mutation in the androgen receptor, a protein which acts as a key-lock mechanism..