title: Pituitary progestin-metabolizing enzyme activities in the aged female rat.
abstract: Progesterone 5 alpha-reductase activity and 5 alpha-dihydroprogesterone 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (3 alpha-HSOR) enzymic activities (NADH-linked and NADPH-linked) were measured in anterior pituitaries (AP) from aged female rats during three stages of reproductive senescence (constant estrus: CE; repeated pseudopregnancies: PSP; and anestrus: AN). To assess ovarian influence on these enzymes during these stages of reproductive aging, we also determined enzyme levels from ovariectomized rats from each stage treated with estrogen or vehicle. Progesterone 5 alpha-reductase and NADH-linked 3 alpha-HSOR activities were 2-fold higher in pituitaries of CE rats as compared to those of PSP and AN rats. NADPH-linked 3 alpha-HSOR levels did not differ among the three stages. All three enzyme levels were elevated 2- to 5-fold as compared to the corresponding enzyme levels from young cycling rats. After ovariectomy (10 days), 5 alpha-reductase activity in PSP and AN rats was elevated 3- to 4-fold relative to mean levels in intact PSP and AN rats. Ovariectomy had no effect on 5 alpha-reductase levels in CE rats. Under similar conditions, young cycling rats exhibit a 10-12-fold increase. Treatment of ovariectomized PSP and AN rats for 3 days with estradiol benzoate (10 micrograms/day) restored 5 alpha-reductase levels. Ovariectomy had no effect on the NADPH-linked 3 alpha-HSOR levels in CE, PSP or AN animals which is similar to that observed with young rats. Ovariectomy also had no effect on the NADH-linked 3 alpha-HSOR levels except for the CE group. The ovariectomized CE rats exhibited reduced pituitary NADH-linked 3 alpha-HSOR levels (30%). In contrast, young rats exhibit elevated pituitary NADH-linked 3 alpha-HSOR levels after ovariectomy (4- to 5-fold). These changes suggest the possibility that altered processing of progesterone and its 5 alpha- and 3 alpha-reduced products may be one means by which the effectiveness of progesterone is reduced during aging. The results also suggest an altered ovarian role in the regulation of these enzymes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Karavolas
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D045002:3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific); D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007700:Kinetics; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D011372:Progestins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011555:Pseudopregnancy; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D011372:Progestins; D004958:Estradiol; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D045002:3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific); C022447:3-oxo-5-alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase (NADP(+))