Effect of estradiol and testosterone on catechol-O-methyl transferase activity of rat superior cervical ganglion, pineal gland, anterior hypophysis and hypothalamus.
The effect of estradiol and testosterone on the activity of catechol-O- methyl transferase (COMT) of the superior cervical ganglion, pineal gland, anterior hypophysis and hypothalamus were examined in castrated rats. In female rats a single injection of 2 mug of estradiol caused a significant 25% increase of hypothalamic COMT, whereas after 3 daily injections no differences in enzyme activity were observed between hormone- and vehicle-injected controls. In male rats testosterone propionate (0.5 mg) increased hypothalamic COMT by 53%; this effect was not detectable in animals treated with the androgen for 3 days. COMT activity of the superior cervical ganglion, pineal gland and anterior hypophysis did not exhibit significant changes after any of the hormone schedules used.
D000818:Animals; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000201:enzymology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000201:enzymology; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase