title: Alteration in the histochemical profile of steroid dehydrogenases in the uropygial gland of male domestic pigeons following androgen deprivation and testosterone supplement.
abstract: Activities of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSDH) and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSDH)) were histochemically demonstrated in the alveoli of the uropygial glands of male domestic pigeons (Columba livia Gmelin). The level of 3 beta-HSDH (Substrates: pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone) was very low. On the other hand, an intense activity of 17 beta-HSDH was observed in the glandular alveoli of both sexually immature and adult pigeons when testosterone was used as the substrate. In the adult specimens, bilateral castration resulted in a moderate increase of the level of 17 beta-HSDH indicating a faster rate of conversion of testosterone into the weaker androgen, namely, delta 4-androstene-3,17-dione. On the other hand, administration of testosterone propionate (TP), 500 micrograms/bird/day for 15 days in the intact prepubertal and castrated adult pigeons caused a perceptible depletion of 17 beta-HSDH, which may be correlated with the increase in the local concentration of testosterone. Low dose of TP (100 micrograms/day) had no effect. When estradiol-17 beta was used as the substrate for 17 beta-HSDH, there was only a feeble response within the alveoli.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Deadhikari
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
mesh_terms: D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases