Estrogens induce lipoxygenase derivative formation in rabbit lens.

The effect of estrogens on arachidonic acid metabolism was studied in lenses from normal and sex hormone-treated female rabbits. Analysis of the metabolites derived from incubation of these lenses with (1-14C) arachidonic acid provides the first evidence that estradiol activates the lipoxygenase pathway, as indicated by 5-S-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid--like product formation, an effect that can be prevented by progestin treatment. Prostaglandin synthesis was not demonstrated by the control or estrogen-treated rabbit lenses, suggesting that lipoxygenase is the major arachidonic acid pathway in the lens.