The effect of perinatal hormonal imprinting with 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin) on the thymic glucocorticoid receptors of female and testosterone level of male adult rats

In earlier experiments, the long-term effect of perinatal treatment (hormon al imprinting) with all-trans-retinol and all-trans-retinoic acid on the th ymic glucocorticoid and uterine estrogen receptors was studied and was foun d effective. In the present experiments, the imprinting effect of four reti noids (13-cis-retinaldehyde, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinaldehyde and 9-cis-retinoic acid) was investigated, using receptor kinetic analysis and sexual hormone (testosterone acid progesterone) level determinations. Exclu sively 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin) had an effect, significantly dec reasing glucocorticoid receptor affinity and increasing serum testosterone level. Relationships with RAR-RXR receptor binding and teratogenicity is di scussed.