This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by van der Eerden, B. C. J. Articles by Karperien, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by van der Eerden, B. C. J. Articles by Karperien, M.

Sex Steroid Metabolism in the Tibial Growth Plate of the Rat

Departments of Pediatrics (B.C.J.v.d.E., M.K., J.M.W.) and Endocrinology & Metabolic Diseases (M.K., C.W.G.M.L.), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2300 RC, The Netherlands; and Laboratory of Endocrinology (J.v.d.V.), University Hospital Utrecht, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: M. Karperien, Ph.D., Department of Endocrinology & Metabolic Diseases and Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Building 1, Zone C4-R86, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. E-mail: karperien{at}lumc.nl.

To assess whether growth plate-specific production of sex steroids is possible, we have surveyed the presence of several key-enzymes involved in androgen and estrogen metabolism in the tibial growth plate of female and male rats during development. Using in situ hybridization, mRNAs of aromatase p450, type I and II 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), steroid sulfatase (STS), and 5-reductase were detected in proliferating and hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate. The former three were strongly up-regulated around sexual maturation (7 wk), whereas the latter two were expressed at a relatively constant level during development. These data were supported by measuring aromatase, type I 17ß-HSD, and STS enzyme activities in chondrocytes collected from tibial growth plates at 1 and 7 wk of age. Of the enzymes studied, there were minor differences between the sexes in aromatase and 5-reductase expression only. In conclusion, our findings clearly indicate the presence of various enzymes involved in sex steroid metabolism in the tibial growth plate, especially in sexually maturing rats, a timepoint at which sex steroids have major effects on longitudinal growth. Our data suggest that intracrinology in the rat growth plate can occur and may be a major source of local sex steroid delivery.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Maneix, G. Beauchef, A. Servent, Y. Wegrowski, F. X. Maquart, N. Boujrad, G. Flouriot, J. P. Pujol, K. Boumediene, P. Galera, et al. 17{beta}-Oestradiol up-regulates the expression of a functional UDP-glucose dehydrogenase in articular chondrocytes: comparison with effects of cytokines and growth factors Rheumatology, March 1, 2008; 47(3): 281 - 288. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Aizawa, M. Iemitsu, T. Otsuki, S. Maeda, T. Miyauchi, and N. Mesaki Sex differences in steroidogenesis in skeletal muscle following a single bout of exercise in rats J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2008; 104(1): 67 - 74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Takeuchi, N. Mukai, T. Tateishi, and S. Miyakawa Production of sex steroid hormones from DHEA in articular chondrocyte of rats Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2007; 293(1): E410 - E415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Aizawa, M. Iemitsu, S. Maeda, S. Jesmin, T. Otsuki, C. N. Mowa, T. Miyauchi, and N. Mesaki Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and synthesis of sex steroid hormones from DHEA in skeletal muscle of rats Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 2007; 292(2): E577 - E584. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A S Chagin, D Chrysis, M Takigawa, E M Ritzen, and L Savendahl Locally produced estrogen promotes fetal rat metatarsal bone growth; an effect mediated through increased chondrocyte proliferation and decreased apoptosis J. Endocrinol., February 1, 2006; 188(2): 193 - 203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.-M. Cleton-Jansen, H. M. van Beerendonk, H. J. Baelde, J. V.G.M. Bovee, M. Karperien, and P. C.W. Hogendoorn Estrogen Signaling Is Active in Cartilaginous Tumors: Implications for Antiestrogen Therapy as Treatment Option of Metastasized or Irresectable Chondrosarcoma Clin. Cancer Res., November 15, 2005; 11(22): 8028 - 8035. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Borlak, I. Schulte, and T. Thum ANDROGEN METABOLISM IN THYMUS OF FETAL AND ADULT RATS Drug Metab. Dispos., June 1, 2004; 32(6): 675 - 679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Vanderschueren, L. Vandenput, S. Boonen, M. K. Lindberg, R. Bouillon, and C. Ohlsson Androgens and Bone Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2004; 25(3): 389 - 425. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. B. Sher, H. W. Woitge, D. J. Adams, G. A. Gronowicz, Z. Krozowski, J. R. Harrison, and B. E. Kream Transgenic Expression of 11{beta}-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 in Osteoblasts Reveals an Anabolic Role for Endogenous Glucocorticoids in Bone Endocrinology, February 1, 2004; 145(2): 922 - 929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. C. J. van der Eerden, M. Karperien, and J. M. Wit Systemic and Local Regulation of the Growth Plate Endocr. Rev., December 1, 2003; 24(6): 782 - 801. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]