Effect of estrogens on glucose phosphate dehydrogenase activity of liver and oviduct in the amphibian Bufo arenarum.

Glucose- 6phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PDH) stimulation by estradiol- 17beta has been studied in oviduct and liver of Bufa arenarum. OviducalG-6PDH has been found to be stimulated by a single dose of estradiol- 17beta (100 mug/100 g body weight), the stimulation being dependent on season. Hepatic G-6PDH of females is susceptible to hormonal stimulation, without seasonal variation, while in males the enzymatic activity is not modified under the same conditions. The stimulating effect of estrogen on oviducal and hepatic G- 6PDH was inhibited by Actynomicin D. The susceptibility of G- 6PDH to estrogenic action would assure NADPH production, indispensable for the biosynthesis of lipids which are required for cell growth and for hepatic vitellogenesis.