Adrenal cytochrome-c-oxidase and P-450 in male adult rats: effects of testosterone, castration and dexamethasone.

The enzymes cytochrome-c-oxidase and P-450 were measured in adrenal cortex of male adult rats, under four experimental conditions: G1, controls; G2, orchidectomized; G3, orchidectomized and treated with testosterone and G4, orchidectomized and treated with testosterone plus dexamethasone. No differences were observed in cytochrome-c-oxidase between groups G1, G2 and G4. The highest activity was found in G3, which differs significantly from the rest of the groups. No differences were observed from cytochrome P-450 between G1 and G3 groups, while G2 and G4 differ from the G1 group. These studies support new evidences for an interaction between adrenal cortex and gonads in relation to steroidogenic and respiratory activity.