James H. Leathem

Infertility induced in mice by a single injection of testosterone propionate.

Summary Mice 5, 10 and 20 days of age were given a single 1 mg injection of testosterone propionate. Fertility was tested when these mice were 3 months old and compared with littermate controls. No litters were obtained with mice treated at 5 days of age despite 100 days in breeding. Fertility of mice treated when 20 days old, however, was not decreased whereas mice treated at 10 days of age assumed an intermediate position.

SOME BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF THE UTERUS

Biochemical and histochemical studies of uterine composition following administration of steroids or during the cycles have contributed considerably to our knowlege of hormone action. Estrogen induces an increase in uterine weight in virtually all species; this is associated with hyperemia and is followed by an increase in amino acid incorporation, nucleic acid synthesis, and nitrogen deposition.’ Estrogen also stimulates phosphorus incorporation, oxidative metabolism, aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis, and glycogen deposition? The importance of glycogen as a source of energy has been suggested. It is well known that glycogen is present in the endometrium of primatesa and that estrogen will increase the glycogen in the endometrium and myometrium. This carbohydrate, however, is largely in the muscle of rats and mice! Enzymes such as /3 glucuronidase6 and alkaline phosphatase,6 to mention only two, respond to estrogen with an increase in concentration. Progesterone administration to the previously primed animal induces morphologic changes. When a secretory endometrium is developed, an increase in glycogen and nucleic acids is observed. Lutwak-Mann’ has recently correlated the progestational endometrial morphology with an increasc in carbonic anhydrase. Despite the interest in uterine steroid responsiveness, on occasion one must seek with diligence for data concerning one species, not to mention the effect of age and altered physiological states upon hormone action. It is not within the scope of this paper to relate biochemical and histochemical data from many species, but rather to confine our considerations primarily to the mouse and rat. This position is partially justified, possibly by the knowledge (1) that carbohydrate use by the guinea pig and rat uterus differ,2 and (2) that uterine glycogen concentration is doubled by estrogen in mice and rats, but is unchanged in hamsters and guinea pigs.* The response to estrogen among the rodents is not uniform. Current studies were designed to explore (1) the influence of steroids on the composition of the immature mouse uterus, (2) cyclic changes in uterine composition of adult mice, and (3) the effect of thiouracil and chorionic gonadotropin on the rat uterus.

In vitro steroid synthesis by the ovaries of the teleost fish, Centropristes striatus (L.)☆

Abstract Ovarian tissue of the teleost Centropristes striatus was incubated with labeled pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (progesterone) and 17β-hydroyyandrost-4-ene-3-one (testosterone). Using pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione as a precursor only pregnane-3,20-dione could be identified as a metabolite. 17β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one yielded the 5β-reduced steroids 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, 17β-ol-5β-androstane-3-one and 5β-androstane-3α,17β-diol.

Cathepsin activity of liver and muscle fractions of adrenalectomized rats.

Summary Cathepsin activity was determined in muscle and liver tissue fractions of adrenalectomized rats, adrenalectomized rats supplemented with saline, pair-fed intact controls, and ad libitum-fed controls. Cathepsin activity of skeletal muscle tissue conformed to the biochemical criteria necessary to be associated with lysosomes. Adrenalectomized rats had a significant increase in free cathepsin activity in muscle and liver, and a significant increase in total activity in muscle tissue. Intact animals fed 25% of the food intake of ad libitum-fed controls had significant increases in total activity, with no significant differences in free cathepsin activity. Adrenalectomized animals maintained with saline had greater free cathepsin activity in liver and muscle than their pair-fed and ad libitum-fed controls, suggesting that the increased free activity was not due to electrolyte imbalance or starvation.

Steroid synthesis by amphibian ovarian tissue

Ovarian fragments from two amphibians, Rana pipiens and Necturus maculosus were incubated with labeled pregnenolone, progesterone, or testosterone. Progesterone could not be identified when pregnenolone was used as precursor; however, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone was identified in incubates of Rana ovaries. Metabolism of added progesterone was similar in the two species, but metabolism of C-19 steroids differed. Rana pipiens ovarian tissue favored reduction to 5β compounds, while Necturus maculosus ovarian tissue favored reduction at the 5α position.

Effect of Age on Testis δ5-3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in the Rat

Summary Testis δ5-3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity and protein content were determined in rats 4–24 mo of age. Activity of the enzyme per milligram of protein declined between 12 and 18 mo of age and remained depressed through 24 mo of age. Total testis enzyme activity was maximal at 12 mo of age. Chorionic gonadotropin increased testis 3β-OHSD activity significantly in 2-yr-old rats.

Biochemical changes in the oviduct of the snake Snake natrix sipedon pictiventris

Abstract 1. 1. Alkaline phosphatase, β-glucuronidase and glycogen were measured in teh oviduct tissues of adult female Natrix sipedon pictiventris throughout the reproductive cycle. 2. 2, Significant changes in all three components occurred which could be correlated with ovarian and oviduct growth. 3. 3. The results are discussed in relation to possible ovarian influences on the oviduct.

Some Aspects of Hormone and Protein Metabolic Interrelationships

Publisher Summary This chapter presents some aspects of hormone and protein metabolic interrelationships. The protein constitution of the body is in a constant state of change with tissue proteins continuously being broken down and resynthesized. This dynamic state of the body proteins suggests that nitrogen metabolism can be influenced by many factors. Among the controlling agents are the hormones, some themselves being protein in nature that exerts an effect at many body locations. However, it is clear that hormones are not necessarily essential for a reaction but rather serve to stimulate or to inhibit a reaction. Consequently, hormones may be labeled as having a protein anabolic or a protein catabolic action. However, these broad terms must be viewed with caution, as in many cases the metabolic responses to endocrine gland secretions are organ- or tissue-specific. Certain hormones will inhibit protein metabolism in some organs while stimulating metabolism in others. Hormones influence the appetite and the absorption, utilization, and excretion of food. To evaluate the effect of hormones on protein metabolism, many of the measures that permit the examination of the protein efficiency of foods can be used, that is, body weight gain, nitrogen balance, plasma proteins, organ proteins, and the repletion of protein-depleted individuals.

In vitro Synthesis of Progesterone by Ovaries and Adrenals of Snakes.

Summary Ovaries and adrenals of both Natrix sipedon pictiventris and Coluber c. constrictor synthesized progesterone in vitro from ∗H-16-pregnenolone. Progesterone synthesis by the ovaries and adrenals of Natrix was 3 times that of Coluber.

Influence of desoxycorticosterone acetate and cortisone acetate on body weight of chick embryos.

Summary A retardation of body weight increase in White Leghorn chick embryos was obtained by injecting either desoxycorticosterone acetate or cortisone acetate into the yolk sac at 6 days of incubation and observing the effects on day 18. Desoxycorticosterone acetate depressed body weight increase at a dosage level of 0.25 mg per egg, whereas 0.5 mg of cortisone acetate was required to induce the same effect.