Decreased phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase and catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in rabbit adrenal glands during pregnancy.
1 Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) activity in adrenal gland was lower than the control values at day 24 of rabbit pregnancy and fell throughout the gestational period. 2 Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity during pregnancy and parturition followed a similar pattern to PNMT. 3 Adrenaline content of the adrenal gland declined significantly during the last few days of pregnancy but at parturition showed a tendency to return towards normal. 4 The biochemical mechanisms which result in a decline in PNMT and COMT activities and adrenaline concentration appear to be the consequence of modifications in endocrine gland secretion during pregnancy.
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000588:Amines / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal
D000588:Amines; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D004837:Epinephrine