Ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity in the accessory sex organs of intact, castrated, and androgen-stimulated castrated rats.

We have studied the activities of ornithine decarboxylase and adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in the 10(6)-m/s2 supernatants of the different lobes of the prostate and the seminal vesicles of castrates, androgen-stimulated castrates, and intact controls. After castration L-ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase (AMDC) activities fell in all tissues examined. The induction of kinetics was followed for 72 h after administration of testosterone propionate to castrated rats. AMDC activities increased more rapidly than ODC activities in every tissue studied. Peak activities were reached more rapidly in the dorsal lobe than in the other tissues. ODC activity of the ventral lobe increased linearly for 48 h after stimulation. In the other tissues studied, ODC activity reached a maximum after 24 h and thereafter leveled off or decreased. In conclusion we have found distinct differences in ODC and AMDC activity in various tissues and major differences between treatment groups, with near extinction of activity at castration. In castrates stimulated with testosterone, the between-group differences prevailed but with different patterns of ODC versus AMDC activity. AMDC is seemingly rate-limiting in polyamine synthesis in stimulated tissues, while ODC controls synthesis in tissues from castrated rats.