Endocrinology, Vol 96, 178-184, Copyright © 1975 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

The metabolism and binding properties of 3H-aldosterone in plasma and its sex dependence in adrenalectomized rats

DJ Morris, WC Graham and RP Davis

The rates of clearance of plasma 3-H radioactivitivity following intravenous injection of 3-H aldosterone was demonstrated to be sex- dependent in adrenalectomized rats. The perchantage plasma radioactivity which is CH-2CL-2extractable is greater in female than in male rats from 5 min to 90 min postinjection; however the quantities of CH2-CL2-extractable label are not significantly different until 60 min postinjection. The quantities of nonextractable, water-soluble metabolites of adosterone (NEPD), which are markedly greater in the plasma of males, reach peak levels 30 min after injections of aldosterone, during the latent period of the hormone.N females, these polar metabolites (NEPD)are rapidly cleared from the blood. The quantities of 3-H-radioactivity associated with the plasma binding proteins are similar in both males and females. The unbound levels of aldosterone and its metabolities are significantly greater in the plasma of males. These findings indicate that the sex hormones may influence not only the metabolism of aldosterone in rats, but also the plasma levels of unmetabolized aldosterone and its metabolites.