Maturational development of drug-metabolizing enzymes in dogs

A qualitative and quantitative assessment was made of the development of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes (DME) in dogs as part of a study of the ability of animal test species to metabolize drugs. The following DME variables were measured in this study: amount of cytochromes P-450 and b5; activity of the NADPH and NADH-dependent reductases associated with each of these cytochromes; activity of cytochrome P-450-mediated enzymes, including aniline and coumarin hydroxylases, aminopyrine N-demethylase, and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase; activity of a uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid glucuronyl transferase with 4-methylumbelliferone as substrate; and glutathione-S-transferase activities, with dinitrochlorobenzene and dichloronitrobenzene as substrates. Most enzyme components had achieved maximal amount or activity by the fifth to eighth week after birth; they tended to decrease after weaning, although the activity of dichloronitrobenzene-glutathione transferase in geriatric dogs (312 to 525 weeks old) was approximately twofold greater than that of 8-week-old pups. There were no gender-related differences in any of the enzyme amounts or activities determined. Individual variation was pronounced even in the homogeneous colony from which these dogs were obtained.     

The effects of fascioliasis on the activities of some drug-metabolizing enzymes in desert sheep liver.

Desert sheep experimentally or naturally infected with Fasciola gigantica were used to study the influence of infection on the activities of some drug-metabolizing enzymes found in the liver. The enzymes investigated were aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline 4-hydroxylase and UDP-glucuronyltransferase. The experimental infection was confirmed histologically by detection of Fasciola eggs in faeces and by measuring the activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), glutamate dehydrogenase (GD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in plasma during the course of the disease. Liver specimens from naturally infected sheep were obtained from the slaughter house. The activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline 4-hydroxylase were significantly decreased in sheep either naturally infected or during the acute stage of experimental fascioliasis (killed 5 weeks post-infection). The activity of UDP-glucuronyltransferase was decreased in naturally infected sheep and those killed 9 or 13 weeks post-experimental infection.     

Maturational development of drug-metabolizing enzymes in sheep

A qualitative and quantitative assessment was made of the development of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes (DME) in sheep as part of a study of the ability of the food-producing species to metabolize drugs. The following DME and components were measured in this study: cytochromes P-450 and b5 and NADPH and NADPH-dependent reductases associated with each of these cytochromes; cytochrome P-450-mediated reactions, including aniline and coumarin hydroxylases, aminopyrine N-demethylase, and 7-ethoxycoumarin 0-deethylase; a uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid glucuronyl transferase with 4-methylumbelliferone as substrate; and glutathione-S-transferase with dinitrochlorobenzene and dichloronitrobenzene as substrates. Amounts or activities of most of these components and enzymes increased up to and beyond the time of weaning. Amount of cytochrome b5 and uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid transferase activity were not affected by age, whereas NADPH cytochrome c (P-450) reductase activity actually decreased after weaning. In some instances (eg, coumarin hydroxylase, cytochrome P-450, and dinitrochlorobenzene-glutathione-S-transferase), differences from preweaning DME values were observed only after sheep were greater than or equal to 6 months old. All other DME activities were definitely increased, compared with the values in lambs before weaning (0 to 12 weeks old). Approximately a third of the sheep studied had some type of clinical disease that might have affected the DME activities. Diseases were classified as sore mouth, pneumonia, foot rot, parasitism, and systemic bacterial infections. Except in a few instances, these diseases had minimal effect on DME activities measured in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Impact of age on hepatic cytochrome P450 of domestic male Camborough‐29 pigs

Swine is not only an important species in veterinary medicine research but also a popular animal model for human drug discovery. It is valuable to understand the impact of pig age on abundance and activity of porcine hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450). Liver microsomes were prepared from Camborough‐29 intact male pigs at the age of 1 day and 2 weeks and the castrated male pigs at the age of 5, 10, and 20 weeks. Hepatic CYP450 content in the liver microsomes was measured using a UV/visible spectroscopic method. The activities of CYP450s were evaluated by metabolism of phenacetin, coumarin, tolbutamide, bufuralol, chlorzoxazone, and midazolam. The porcine hepatic CYP450 content increased with age with a plateau between age 2 and 5 weeks. Activities of all CYP450 enzymes increased with age of pigs too. The bufuralol 1’‐hydroxylase showed the highest hepatic activities compared with other CYP enzymes at all ages of pigs. The average activities at the age of 20 weeks were about five times higher than those at the age of 5 weeks for most of the CYP enzymes. With compensation of the ratio of liver to body weights, the overall CYP450 metabolism capability of the pigs may be peaked around ages of 10 to 20 weeks. Those findings suggest that metabolism can be significantly different in growing phase of pigs and that the age may be an important factor in porcine medicine evaluation and pig model development.     

Downregulation of male-specific cytochrome P450 by profenofos

The health hazards of individual organophosphorus insecticides have been characterized by their acute toxicity, mainly by investigating their cholinesterase inhibition. However, the chronic effects of most of these toxicants on the drug-metabolizing enzymes have not been investigated. Profenofos (O-4-bromo-2-chlorophenyl O-ethyl S-propyl phosphorothioate) is an organophosphorus pesticide widely used in cotton cultivation. In the present study, we investigated the effect of profenofos on male-specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in adult Wistar rats. We orally administered 17.8 mg/kg body weight, twice weekly for 65 days. Profenofos downregulated levels of hepatic and testicular CYP2C11 and CYP3A2 mRNA and protein expression. Testicular aromatase (CYP19A) mRNA was decreased in the profenofos-treated rats compared to controls. Overall, the present study suggests that profenofos acts as an endocrine disruptor of male-specific CYP enzymes and affects testosterone concentration, which implicates its deleterious effects on animal or human males chronically exposed to organophosphorus pesticide.     

The Comparative Effects of Subchronic Administration of Triphenyltin Acetate (TPTA) on the Hepatic and Renal Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in Rabbits and Lambs

Nebbia, C., Dacasto, M., Ceppa, L., Gennaro Soffietti, M., Spinelli, P., Bergo, V. and Di Simplicio, P., 1997. The comparative effects of subchronic administration of triphenyltin acetate (TPTA) on the hepatic and renal drug-metabolizing enzymes in rabbits and lambs. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (2), 117-125The purpose of this study was to determine whether subchronic (70 days) oral exposure to moderate to high levels of triphenyltin acetate (TPTA), an organotin derivative used worldwide, would affect the microsomal hepatic and renal drug-metabolizing enzymes in rabbits and lambs. Rabbits were offered a diet containing 0, 15, 75 or 150 ppm TPTA, while lambs were daily given 0, 1.5 or 7.5 mg TPTA per kg bw. The tin content in the liver and kidneys was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the rabbits' livers, TPTA failed to affect the cytochrome P450 content, or the oxidative, hydrolytic (carboxylesterase) or conjugative (UDPG-transferase) enzyme activities studied. In contrast, a striking dose-related increase in both P450 content and carboxylesterase activity (up to 280%) was detected in the rabbits' kidneys, but the ECOD and EROD activities were respectively unchanged or moderately depressed. None of the enzymes studied showed statistically significant changes in the ovine hepatic or renal subfractions. The results suggest that repeated exposure to TPTA could lead to the induction of a particular P450-isoenzyme in rabbit kidneys which is concerned with the metabolism of endogenous compounds (e.g. steroids, prostaglandins, thromboxanes). The lack of significant tissue- and species-related differences in the concentration of tin supports the hypothesis that the changes observed in the rabbits' kidneys may not have been caused solely by the accumulation of the metal in the tissues.     

Decrease of cytochrome P-450 having arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase and increase of UDP-glucuronyltransferase glucuronizing phenolic xenobiotics in rat liver nodule.

Microsomal arylhydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylase activity in hyperplastic nodules in the livers of rats was decreased by feeding 2-acetylaminofluorene in their diet to 10% of that without 2-acetylaminofluorene feeding. By immunoblotting analysis with the antibodies raised against P-450/B[a]P, which is a form of cytochrome P-450 catalyzing benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylation in liver microsomes of untreated rats, it was shown that P-450/B[a]P content was decreased in the microsomes prepared from the nodular tissues. Microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity toward phenolic xenobiotics such as 1-naphthol and 4-nitrophenol was increased by 4.5-5.0-fold in the nodular tissues. This increase was inhibited by the addition of antibodies raised against GT-1, a form of UDP-glucuronyltransferase glucuronizing phenolic xenobiotics. Immunoblotting analysis with the antibodies against GT-1 showed that a protein band corresponding to GT-1 was increased in the microsomes from nodular tissues. The increased UDP-glucuronyltransferase also had about 4,000 daltons "high mannose" oligosaccharide(s) like GT-1. The decreases of P-450/B[a]P and increases of GT-1 were observed mainly in nodular foci of the liver tissues. These results indicate that in liver nodules, decreased cytochrome P-450-dependent benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity and increased UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity toward phenolic xenobiotics result from the decrease of the P-450 corresponding to P-450/B[a]P and the increase of the GT corresponding to GT-1.     

Hepatic and pulmonary enzyme activities in horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine hepatic and pulmonary phase-I and phase-II enzyme activities in horses. SAMPLE POPULATION: Pulmonary and hepatic tissues from 22 horses that were 4 months to 32 years old. PROCEDURE: Pulmonary and hepatic tissues from horses were used to prepare cytosolic (glutathione S-transferase and soluble epoxide hydrolase) and microsomal (cytochrome P450 monooxygenases) enzymes. Rates of microsomal metabolism of ethoxyresorufin, pentoxyresorufin, and naphthalene were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Activities of glutathione S-transferase and soluble epoxide hydrolase were determined spectrophotometrically. Cytochrome P450 content was determined by carbon monoxide bound-difference spectrum of dithionite-reduced microsomes. Activity was expressed relative to total protein concentration. RESULTS: Microsomal protein and cytochromeP450 contents were detectable in all horses and did not vary with age. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin metabolism was detected in all horses; by comparison, pulmonary metabolism of ethoxyresorufin and hepatic and pulmonary metabolism of pentoxyresorufin were detected at lower rates. Rate of hepatic naphthalene metabolism remained constant with increasing age, whereas rate of pulmonary naphthalene metabolism was significantly lower in weanlings (ie, horses 4 to 6 months old), compared with adult horses. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity (cytosol) increased with age; however, these changes were not significant. Pulmonary glutathione S-transferase activity (cytosol) was significantly lower in weanlings than adult horses. Hepatic and pulmonary soluble epoxide hydrolase did not vary with age of horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms that metabolize naphthalene and glutathione S-transferases in lungs are significantly lower in weanlings than adult horses, which suggests reduced ability of young horses to metabolize xenobiotics by this organ.     

Development of porcine digestive enzymes with special reference to ribonuclease

The activity of digestive enzymes was determined in the gastrointestinal tract of newborn, 1-, 3- and 5-week-old piglets and in adult pigs. The pancreas of newborn piglets contained considerable ribonuclease (RNase) activity, which continued to increase with age. After the initial values an opposite tendency was found in the intestinal contents, probably due to the increase of proteolytic degradation with advancing age. Serum RNase showed little age dependence. The time-course of development of pancreatic RNase resembled more that of proteolytic enzymes than tha of amylase. The data indicate that a high pancreatic secretion of RNase commences much before the appearance of RNA in the diet.     

苜蓿花期三种杀菌剂对意大利蜜蜂保护酶和解毒酶的影响

为探究苜蓿生产过程中使用的杀菌剂对其传粉昆虫意大利蜜蜂(意蜂)的安全性,利用田间推荐使用浓度的菌核净、咪鲜胺和异菌脲处理意大利蜜蜂,分别测定蜜蜂体内3种保护酶:超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和3种解毒酶:羧酸酯酶(CarE)、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GSTs)和细胞色素P450(P450)的活性。结果表明,不同浓度的3种杀菌剂均可诱导意蜂SOD和POD活性,其中咪鲜胺1500倍液(0.17 mg·L^-1)处理的蜜蜂体内SOD和POD活性最高,分别为对照的1.82和5.40倍。3种杀菌剂对CAT、CarE和GSTs活性表现为低浓度诱导,高浓度抑制,对P450活性表现为抑制作用(咪鲜胺)或者诱导作用(菌核净和异菌脲)。随着处理时间的延长,3种杀菌剂1000倍液(0.40、0.25和0.50 mg·L^-1)对意蜂体内3种保护酶的活性总体表现为诱导作用;而对3种解毒酶的影响各异,菌核净对3种解毒酶活性均为先激活后抑制;异菌脲对CarE和GSTs活性表现为先抑制后激活,对P450为诱导作用;咪鲜胺对CarE和GSTs表现为先激活后抑制,对P450表现为随时间逐渐降低的抑制作用。该结果表明意蜂可以通过调节体内保护酶和解毒酶活性,降低杀菌剂的负面影响,但对蜜蜂正常生理和代谢产生了影响。因此在生产中应当谨慎施用杀菌剂,保护蜜蜂安全授粉。     

Effect of phenobarbitone treatment against signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) toxicity in sheep

The effect of phenobarbitone against signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) toxicity was studied in 26 male crossbred sheep. Grazing on signal grass significantly decreased the concentration of cytochrome P-450 and the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes, viz. aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline-4-hydroxylase, UDP- glucuronyltransferase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver and kidneys of affected sheep.Oral administration of phenobarbitone (30 mg/kg body weight) for five consecutive days before grazing on B. decumbens pasture, and thereafter, for three consecutive days every two weeks, resulted in significant increases in hepatic and renal activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes. The induction of drug metabolizing activity in sheep grazing on signal grass group was found to be lower than in animals given phenobarbitone alone. Induction by phenobarbitone provided a degree of protection against the toxic effects of B. decumbens as indicated by the delay in the appearance of signs of toxicity. Furthermore, these were much milder compared to those in the sheep not treated with phenobarbitone. The present study suggests that phenobarbitone-type cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme-induction may increase resistance against signal grass (B. decumbens) toxicity in sheep.     

Drug-metabolizing Enzymes in the Placenta and Foetus of Camel and Sheep

Contents The activities of cytochrome P-450 and the P-450 dependent aminopyrine -N-demethylase and aniline 4-hydroxylase (Phase I, drugmetabolizing enzymes) and UDP-glucurony-l-transferase (a Phase II drug-metabolizing enzyme) have been measured in vitro in the placenta and liver of camels and sheep during pregnancy. The placenta of late pregnancy of both species produced 50% of the activity in maternal liver of phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes. The rate of O-aminophenol glucuronide was low both in placenta and foetal liver. It is suggested that close to term the placenta and foetal liver are capable of metabolizing drugs by P-450 mediated phase I reactions. Inhalt: Arzneimittel-metabolisierende Enzyme von Plazenta und Fötus bei Kamel und Schaf Während der Trächtigkeit wurde die Aktivität der Cytochrom P-450 abhängigen Aminophyrine -N-Demethylase, Anilin 4-Hydroxylase (Phase I metabolisierendes Enzym) und der UDP-Glucuronyl-1 Transferase (Phase II metabolisierendes Enzym) unter in vitro Bedingungen in Plazenta- und Lebergewebe von Kamelen und Schafen gemessen. In beiden Tierarten produzierte die Plazenta während der späten Trächtigkeit 50% der Aktivität, wie sie die mütterliche Plazenta der “Phase I—Enzyme” produziert. Die O-Aminophenol Glucuronide waren dagegen gering in Plazenta und fetaler Leber. Es wird angenommen, daβ die Plazenta und die fetale Leber kurz vor der Geburt in der Lage sind, Arzneimittel durch die Cytochrom P-450 abhängige Phase I-Reaktionen zu metabolisieren.     

Pharmacokinetics and microsomal oxidation of praziquantel and its effects on the P450 system in three-month-old lambs infested by Fasciola hepatica

Praziquantel (PZQ) is a broadly effective trematocide and cestocide, widely employed in veterinary and human medicine. In view of several differences in both its pharmacokinetic profile in different animal species and in the cytochrome P450-dependent system between ruminant and nonruminant species, the present study was undertaken to determine the pharmacokinetics of this drug, its effects on the P450 system and the involvement of cytochrome P450 in its metabolism in 3-month-old lambs infested by Fasciola hepatica. Following both oral and i.m. administration, PZQ disposition was best described by a linear one-compartment open model with a rapid absorption and elimination. Although the PZQ dose used by the i.m. route was only half of that used by the oral route, the mean PZQ plasma concentration was higher after i.m. than after oral treatment. Oral treatment with 30 mg/kg/day of PZQ did not modify the mono-oxygenase activities tested, whilst the administration of PZQ at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day for 2 days caused a significant decrease in the P450 3A-dependent erythromycin N-demethylase and 6beta testosterone hydroxylase activities. From the incubation of microsomes from lambs not treated with PZQ, a single metabolite (PZQ 11b-OH or PZQ 1-OH) was identified by GC/MS analysis. By selective inhibition of the 3A subfamily performed with triacetyloleandromycin, the production of this metabolite declined by about 90% suggesting a prominent role of P450 3A isoforms in this oxidation. These features indicate that agents or drugs which are able to modulate P450 3A-dependent catalysis may interfere with the metabolism, bioavailability and therapeutic effects of PZQ.     

Bioactivation of aflatoxin B1 by turkey liver microsomes: responsible cytochrome P450 enzymes

1. A study was conducted to determine the cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for the bioactivation of aflatoxin B1 into its epoxide form (AFBO) in turkey liver microsomes. 2. The strategies used included the measurement of prototype substrate activity for specific human P450s, use of selective inhibitors, determination of correlation between aflatoxin bioactivation and enzymatic activity of prototype substrates and the determination of immunoreactive proteins using antibodies against human P450s. 3. Enzymatic activity and immunoreactive proteins corresponding to the turkey orthologs CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6 and CYP3A4 were detected, but not for the CYP2D6 ortholog. 4. The results of the inhibition and correlation studies strongly suggest that the turkey CYP2A6 ortholog and, to a lesser extent, the CYP1A1 ortholog, are involved in the bioactivation of aflatoxin B1 in turkey liver microsomes. 5. This is the first study reporting the role of CYP2A6 in the bioactivation of AFB1 in an avian species and the role of CYP1A1 in any species.     

Synergism of rotenone by piperonyl butoxide in Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in vitro: potential for drug-synergism through inhibition of nematode oxidative detoxification pathways

The anthelmintic properties of rotenone and its activity in combination with the cytochrome P450 inhibitor piperonyl butoxide, were examined in in vitro assays with adults and larvae of Haemonchus contortus and larvae of Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Rotenone was toxic to larvae of both species, with LC(50) values in larval development assays of 0.54 and 0.64 microg/ml for H. contortus and T. colubriformis, respectively. The compound also caused complete cessation of movement in adult H. contortus after 72 h at a concentration of 20 microg/ml. Toxicity of rotenone towards the larvae of both species was increased in the presence of piperonyl butoxide (synergism ratios of 3-4-fold at the LC(50)) and the activity against adult H. contortus was also significantly enhanced following pre-treatment with piperonyl butoxide. This significant synergism suggests that these nematode species are able to utilize a cytochrome P450 enzyme system to detoxify rotenone and indicates that a role may exist for cytochrome P450 inhibitors to act as synergists for other anthelmintics which are susceptible to oxidative metabolism within the nematode.     

The development of drug-metabolizing enzymes in female sheep livers

The purpose of this investigation was to determine age-related changes of some hepatic drug-metabolizing activities in Lacaune ewes in the foetal, neonatal (1 and 4 weeks), growing (7 months), pregnant (11 months) and adult (6 years) stages. Although microsomal cytochrome P-450 was not detected in 3-month-old foetuses, it increased regularly from 1-week- to 11-month-old animals. Among mixed-function oxidases, the development of aminopyrine and ethylmorphine N-demethylases, benzo(alpha)pyrene hydroxylase and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase were correlated to that of total cytochrome P-450. Due to their presence in foetal liver or their more rapid evolution, cytochrome b5, NADPH cytochrome c reductase, aniline hydroxylase, benzphetamine N-demethylase and erythromycin N-demethylase did not parallel the ontogenesis of cytochrome P-450. Hepatic transferases showed different developmental patterns from mono-oxygenases, so UDP glucuronyltransferase was detected in the foetus, reached maximum activity in all young ages up to the pregnant stage and subsequently fell in adult ewes. Concerning glutathione S-transferase accepting 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrate, similar values were obtained in the foetus and all young animals, whereas five- to tenfold higher values were obtained in both pregnant and adult female sheep. N-acetyltransferase using sulphamethazine did not significantly change from foetuses to adults but there were large differences in the capacity of hepatic acetylation between animals belonging to the same group.     

The effect of monensin, tiamulin and the simultaneous administration of both substances on the microsomal mixed function oxidases and on the peroxide formation in broilers

The influence of Monensin, Tiamulin and the simultaneous administration of the two substances on the microsomal, mixed function oxidases was studied on cockerels. Monensin was seen to cause a slight depression in the amount of cytochrome P-450 and cytochrome b5 as well as in the activities of aniline-p-hydroxylase, p-nitrophenol-hydroxylase and p-nitroanisole-O-demethylase. Tiamulin induced a moderate increase in the amount of cytochrome P-450 and in the activities of aniline-p-hydroxylase, p-nitrophenol-hydroxylase and aminopyrine-N-demethylase. The combined administration of monensin and tiamulin resulted in marked induction of the microsomal enzymes; the amount of cytochrome P-450 reduced by metyrapone or carbon monoxide increased 2.5 or 2-times, respectively, and the activities of the tested microsomal hydroxylases and demethylases showed also an expressed increase. At the same time the formation of lipid peroxides also markedly increased and the GSH concentration was reduced. In conclusion, the results of the investigations indicate that the simultaneous application of monensin and tiamulin cause a marked induction of the drug-metabolizing microsomal enzymes and a significant increase in the lipid peroxide formation.     

Effect of Phenobarbitone Treatment Against Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens) Toxicity in Sheep

The effect of phenobarbitone against signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) toxicity was studied in 26 male crossbred sheep. Grazing on signal grass significantly decreased the concentration of cytochrome P-450 and the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes, viz. aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline-4-hydroxylase, UDP- glucuronyltransferase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver and kidneys of affected sheep.Oral administration of phenobarbitone (30 mg/kg body weight) for five consecutive days before grazing on B. decumbens pasture, and thereafter, for three consecutive days every two weeks, resulted in significant increases in hepatic and renal activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes. The induction of drug metabolizing activity in sheep grazing on signal grass group was found to be lower than in animals given phenobarbitone alone. Induction by phenobarbitone provided a degree of protection against the toxic effects of B. decumbens as indicated by the delay in the appearance of signs of toxicity. Furthermore, these were much milder compared to those in the sheep not treated with phenobarbitone. The present study suggests that phenobarbitone-type cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme-induction may increase resistance against signal grass (B. decumbens) toxicity in sheep.     

Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and synthesis of steroid hormones during development of ovarian follicles in prepubertal goats

Expression of mRNAs encoding cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), cytochrome P450 17 -hydroxylase (P450c17), and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) were characterized by the RT-PCR technique and concentrations of progesterone (P4), testosterone (T0) and estradiol (E2) were measured by radioimmunoassay during follicular development of prepubertal goats. Synthesis of mRNAs encoding P450scc and P450c17 began in preantral follicles, but mRNA encoding P450arom was not detectable until early antral formation. While mRNA for P450scc was expressed in both theca and granulosa cells, mRNA for P450c17 was expressed only in theca cells while P450arom mRNA only in granulosa cells. In nonatretic follicles from prepubertal ovaries, the relative quantity of mRNA expression of all the three enzymes increased with follicle size; however, while the concentration of P4 and E2 increased, that of T0 decreased with follicle size. While expression of mRNA encoding P450scc was unaffected, that of P450c17 mRNA decreased to the lowest level and mRNA for P450arom became undetectable following atresia; accordingly, while the concentration of P4 increased in the atretic medium follicles, that of T0 and E2 decreased to the lowest level after atresia. While the adult follicular stage follicles showed a similar cytochrome expression as the nonatretic follicles of prepubertal goats, the former contained higher levels of E2 and P4 than the latter. The presence of corpus luteum in an ovary decreased expression of P450scc, significantly in large follicles while it increased concentration of P4. These findings indicated that (1) similar to other species, changes in follicular steroid production in goats were explained in large measure by changes in steroidogenic enzyme expression; (2) while mRNA expression was similar, activities of some of the steroidogenic enzymes may differ between sexually mature and immature goats.     

Postnatal changes in the levels of 2,3-diaphosphoglycerate, reduced glutathione and some enzyme activities in the erythrocytes of lambs.

The concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and the activities of the enzymes hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase and NADH-dependent methaemoglobin reductase in the erythrocytes of newborn and adult sheep were investigated. All the enzyme activities and the concentration of 2,3-diaphosphoglycerate were found to be significantly greater in the erythrocytes of newborn lambs than in those of adult sheep.