Sex differences in haem biosynthesis and porphyrin content in the Harderian gland of the golden hamster.
Methods are described for the measurement of seven haem biosynthetic enzymes in Harderian gland tissue from male and female golden hamsters. Sex differences were found in five of the seven enzymes. In each case, female tissue exhibited higher activity than male tissue. These differences in enzyme activity are sufficient to account for the major sex difference in porphyrin content in the Harderian gland of this species.
D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D006243:Harderian Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D006418:Heme / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011163:Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000032:analysis*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014575:Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D014576:Uroporphyrinogen III Synthetase / Q000378:metabolism
D011166:Porphyrins; D006418:Heme; D000624:5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase; D011163:Hydroxymethylbilane Synthase; D014575:Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase; D000623:Porphobilinogen Synthase; D014576:Uroporphyrinogen III Synthetase