[Transmission of "hormonal memory" of a unusual estrogen-binding protein during rat hepatocyte proliferation in the process of regeneration].

The content of unusual estrogen-binding protein (UEBP), the level of DNA and common protein as well as the organ mass were studied over time during regeneration of the rat liver of intact males and gonadectomized males and females. In 21 days after partial hepatectomy of males with intact testes complete restoration of the UEBP content was observed simultaneously with restoration of the DNA and protein levels and the organ mass. There was no temporary decline of the UEBP content per DNA unit at the early stages of regeneration. The UEBP content in the liver grows during regeneration with the elevation of the DNA level not only in males with intact testes but also in preliminarily castrated males. Different UEBR programs were revcaled by the 21st day of liver regeneration in preliminarily gonadectomized animals: the androgen program of the elevated UEBP content in males, and the basal genetic program of the low level of UEBP expression in females. A conclusion has been made that the hormonal memory of a high UEBP content may be transferred to a new generation of hepatocytes in the absence of androgens. It has been assumed that androgens cause the real determination of masculinization of the EUBP content in liver cells.