ORGAN SPECIFIC SEX DIFFERENCES IN 17β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITIES IN THE RAT

ABSTRACT The development and sexual differentiation of 11β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities was investigated in the liver, kidney, adrenal and gonads of rats over a period of 15–120 days of life. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the adrenal and ovary was at the limit of detectibility at all the stages of life investigated. In the liver, kidney and testis the enzyme activity is restricted to the microsomal fraction and demonstrates an age-dependent development; in the liver, kidney and in the gonads it is additionally characterized by a sexual differentiation to higher values in the male sex. In all the organs investigated the cytoplasmic and microsomal fractions contain 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity; the activities are very low in the microsomal fraction of the kidney and in the cytosol of the testis. In all the organs the enzyme activity of at least one cell fraction displays an age-dependent development. The only activities, not demonstrating an ontogenesis are those of the cytosol of the adrenal and those of the microsomal fraction of the kidney. The age-dependent development is accompanied by a sexual differentiation of the enzymes activities. The only exception is the microsomal activity of the liver. The female sex shows the higher activity in the kidney, adrenal and gonads; whereas the male animal shows the higher activity only in the cytosol of the liver. The developmental processes of 11β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase have the following properties in common: In the immature phase (day 15–30) the activities of the enzymes develop either very rapidly to manifold higher values or remain constant at the low neonatal level; no sexual differentiation of the enzymes activities occurs at this stage of life. The rapid increase in activity is found only in the liver and kidney, that is in the steroid hormone catabolizing organs. It does not occur in the steroid hormone producing glands.

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Dehydroepiandrosterone Metabolism by 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 Isomerase in Adult Zebra Finch Brain: Sex Difference and Rapid Effect of Stress

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2003-0883 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 145 (4) ◽

pp. 1668-1677 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

Kiran K. Soma ◽

Noel A. Alday ◽

Michaela Hau ◽

Barney A. Schlinger

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Sex Difference ◽

Zebra Finch ◽

Sex Steroids ◽

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽

Adult Brain ◽

Brain And Behavior ◽

Rapid Modulation ◽

And Behavior ◽

The Brain

Abstract Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor to sex steroids such as androstenedione (AE), testosterone (T), and estrogens. DHEA has potent effects on brain and behavior, although the mechanisms remain unclear. One possible mechanism of action is that DHEA is converted within the brain to sex steroids. 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase (3β-HSD) catalyzes the conversion of DHEA to AE. AE can then be converted to T and estrogen within the brain. We test the hypothesis that 3β-HSD is expressed in the adult brain in a region- and sex-specific manner using the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), a songbird with robust sex differences in song behavior and telencephalic song nuclei. In zebra finch brain, DHEA is converted by 3β-HSD to AE and subsequently to estrogens and 5α- and 5β-reduced androgens. 3β-HSD activity is highest in the diencephalon and telencephalon. In animals killed within 2–3 min of disturbance, baseline 3β-HSD activity in portions of the telencephalon is higher in females than males. Acute restraint stress (10 min) decreases 3β-HSD activity in females but not in males, and in stressed animals, telencephalic 3β-HSD activity is greater in males than in females. Thus, the baseline sex difference is rapidly reversed by stress. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of 1) brain region differences in DHEA metabolism by 3β-HSD, 2) rapid modulation of 3β-HSD activity, and 3) sex differences in brain 3β-HSD and regulation by stress. Songbirds are good animal models for studying the regulation and functions of DHEA and neurosteroids in the nervous system.

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Sex differences in the effects of pregnenolone, progesterone, and ACTH on corticosterone secretion of bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) adrenals in tissue culture

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z86-252 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 64 (8) ◽

pp. 1679-1683 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Klaus M. Tähkä ◽

Arvi I. Kahri ◽

Raimo Voutilainen ◽

Henrik Wallgren

Keyword(s):

Tissue Culture ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Bank Vole ◽

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽

Clethrionomys Glareolus ◽

Side Chain ◽

Gas Liquid Chromatography ◽

Functional Differences ◽

Chain Cleavage ◽

Corticosterone Secretion

Possible sex-specific differences in the basal as well as the pregnenolone-, progesterone-, and ACTH-induced glucocorticoid secretion of bank vole adrenals was studied in tissue culture by column and gas–liquid chromatography. The adrenals were cultured for 12 days and the medium was replaced after 6 days. The main glucocorticoid in this species, as in many other rodents, seems to be corticosterone since no cortisol was detected. During the first 6 days of cultivation, the administration of pregnanes (20 μg as a single dose) as well as ACTH (0.1 IU∙mL−1∙day−1) induced a marked increase (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001) in the corticosterone secretion in both sexes. The basal as well as the pregnenolone- and the ACTH-induced secretion of corticosterone was significantly (P < 0.02 or P < 0.01) greater in female than male adrenals. These functional differences were almost totally abolished after 12 days of culture. This study suggests that despite the existence of a 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase negative juxtamedullary zone (at least by histochemical criteria), female adrenals have a greater capacity to convert endogenous as well as exogenous precursors to corticosterone than male adrenals. This is at least partly due to sex differences in the activity (per gland) of the steroidogenic enzymes distal to cholesterol side-chain cleavage, 3β-hydroxysteroid Δ5-Δ4-isomerase in particular.

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Corticosteroids, receptors, and the organ‐specific functions of 11 β ‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

The FASEB Journal ◽

10.1096/fasebj.5.15.1743437 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 5 (15) ◽

pp. 3047-3054 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Carl Monder

Keyword(s):

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽

Organ Specific

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CORTISOL UTILIZATION BY SALIVARY GLAND, KIDNEY AND ADRENAL CORTEX

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.0470511 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 511-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

M. M. FERGUSON ◽

J. B. GLEN ◽

D. K. MASON

Keyword(s):

Enzyme Activity ◽

Sex Differences ◽

Salivary Gland ◽

Salivary Glands ◽

Dehydrogenase Activity ◽

Adrenal Cortex ◽

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽

Histochemical Technique ◽

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ◽

Convoluted Tubules

SUMMARY Cortisol utilization by salivary glands, kidneys and adrenals of various mammals has been compared by using a standard histochemical technique for the demonstration of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was localized in salivary gland ducts, renal collecting and convoluted tubules and in the adrenal cortex of some species. There was no obvious relationship between the levels of enzyme activity in the salivary glands, kidneys and adrenals. Neither was the presence of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in salivary glands particularly associated with mucous or serous secretion, nor were sex differences in levels of activity evident.

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Abstract 45: Sex Differences Of Renal11β-hsd1 And 11β-hsd2 Expression In A Doca-salt Model Of Hypertension.

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.78.suppl_1.45 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Kasey Belanger ◽

Jennifer C Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽

Sprague Dawley ◽

Male And Female ◽

Immune Profile ◽

Sprague Dawley Rats ◽

Males And Females

The balance between hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11β-HSD2) have been implicated in the regulation of mineralocorticoid effects. We have previously shown in the DOCA-salt model of hypertension that males have a more pro-inflammatory immune profile and higher BP than females. The current study tested the hypothesis that males have a higher ratio of 11β -HSD1 to 11β -HSD2 and that preventing DOCA-salt induced increases in BP significantly shifts that ratio.At 10 wks of age, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and a right uni-nephrectomy (UNX) was performed. After one week of recovery, rats were randomized to the following groups: 1) UNX controls, 2) DOCA-salt (200 mg) with 0.9% saline to drink, or 3) DOCA-salt with saline + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ; 55 mg/kg/day) and reserpine (RES; 4.5 mg/kg/day. After 3 weeks of treatment, the remaining kidney was isolated to measure mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 via RT-qPCR.Control UNX males had a higher 11β-HSD1:11β-HSD2 ratio than females (0.9 ± 0.15 vs 0.3 ± 0.04; P=0.02). After DOCA-salt, 11β-HSD1 increased in both males and females (2.5 ± 0.1 vs. 1.3 ± 0.08; P treatment <0.0001). Males maintained a higher 11β-HSD1:11β-HSD2 ratio as well has had a higher increase in 11β-HSD1 to 11β-HSD2 ratio than females (P sex =0.04; P interaction =0.04) after DOCA-salt. With HCTZ/RES treatment, 11β-HSD1 to 11β-HSD2 ratios significantly decreased in both males and females (1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 0.8 ± 0.09; P treatment =0.002), but males maintained a higher 11β-HSD1:11β-HSD2 ratio vs females (P sex =0.002; P interaction =0.54). Our data suggests that there are sex differences in the balance of renal mRNA expression of 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2, with males having a greater 11β-HSD1:11β-HSD2 ratio compared to females. Preventing DOCA-salt induced increases in BP significantly shifts this ratio through an upregulation of 11β-HSD2 in both sexes.

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