Endocrinology, Vol 106, 440-443, Copyright © 1980 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Aromatization of androgens to estrogens mediates increased activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat levator ani muscle

JF Knudsen and SR Max

Administration of testosterone propionate to immature male rats caused a 50% increase in the specific activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway, in the levator ani muscle. This effect appears to be mediated by conversion of testosterone to estradiol because of the following results: 1) the effect was not mimicked by the nonaromatizable androgens fluoxymesterone or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone; 2) it was mimicked by 17 beta-estradiol and diethylstilbestrol; 3) it was blocked by an estrogen antagonist but not by an androgen antagonist; 4) the inactive steroid 17 alpha-estradiol was without effect on glucose 6- phosphate dehydrogenase; and 5) the effect of testosterone was blocked by an inhibitor of androgen aromatase. These results demonstrate a direct effect of estrogen on striated muscle.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Bardin and J. Catterall Testosterone: a major determinant of extragenital sexual dimorphism Science, March 20, 1981; 211(4488): 1285 - 1294. [Abstract]