The collagen production of androgen-responsive and -unresponsive Shionogi carcinoma 115 cells was investigated by culturing them in a medium with or without testosterone. Androgen-unresponsive cells were obtained by culturing a cloned androgen-responsive cell in a testosterone-free medium for 12 weeks. The collagen production of androgen-responsive cells slightly increased in the absence of testosterone, whereas testosterone did not affect the collagen production of androgen-unresponsive cells. Androgen-unresponsive cells produced 3-4 times more collagen than androgen-responsive cells. The major collagen produced by both androgen-responsive and - unresponsive cells migrated to the same position in sodium dodecylsulfate:polyacylamide gel electrophoresis. The present results indicate that the collagen production of androgen-responsive Shionogi carcinoma 115 cells increases with the loss of androgen responsiveness in culture.