Polyamines and nucleic acids in the mouse kidney induced to growth by testosterone propionate.

Daily injections of testosterone propionate to castrated mice resulted in a striking increase in kidney weight. Renal putrescine rose sharply and the amounts of spermidine were also increased. The activity or ornithine decarboxylase was enhanced to values of more than 1 000 times the control level within a few days of testosterone substitution. A moderate and temporary increase in the activity of the putrescine-activated S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase was observed. Testosterone injections produced a large increase of renal RNA but only a minor change in DNA. It is apparent that in mice distinct alterations in polyamine metabolism occur during the development of renal hypertrophy induced by testosterone administration.