Renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 1 alpha-hydroxylase in guinea-pig: activity variations during development and pregnancy.

The renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3-1 alpha-hydroxylase (1 alpha-hydroxylase) activity and circulating levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) were measured in pregnant guinea-pigs and their offspring. Serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D were significantly elevated in pregnant guinea-pigs but the renal enzyme activity was not different from non-pregnant animals. The fetal renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity was about 6-fold higher than the maternal level, whereas circulating 1,25(OH)2D was low. Treatment with pharmacological doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 increased circulating 1,25(OH)2D and depressed the renal 1 alpha-hydroxylases both in the mother and the fetus. In newborn guinea-pigs the enzyme activity was up to 10-times that seen in adults. It declined over the first 3 weeks, showing no difference between the sexes. In sexually mature animals the males had a significantly higher 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity than the female. However, this higher enzyme activity was not correlated to serum testosterone. Around the time the animals reached sexual maturity serum 1,25(OH)2D increased in both sexes. In the males this rise was correlated to an increase in serum testosterone. It is concluded that the maternal renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity is unchange in late pregnancy, compared to non-pregnant females. The data indicate that the fetus produces 1,25(OH)2D, and may contribute to the maternal circulating 1,25(OH)2D. The sex difference in 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity previously demonstrated is manifest at about the time of puberty.