Effects of gonadal steroid hormones on the hypothalamo-pituitary-liver axis in the control of sex differences in hepatic steroid metabolism in the rat.

The site of action of gonadal hormones in the regulation of hepatic steroid metabolism was investigated by measuring the effects of (i) implantation of estradiol into the pituitary gland or anterior hypothalamus of males and (ii) subcutaneous injection of a synthetic androgen in differentiated male and female rats. The hepatic responses measured in vitro were 5 alpha-reduction, and 6 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxylation of androstenedione. After intrapituitary or intrahypothalamic implantation of oestradiol, 5 alpha-reductase activity increased and 6 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxylase activity decreased in males relative to the enzyme activities of cholesterol-implanted animals, indicating a feminizing effect of the oestrogen. This effect could not be accomplished by subcutaneous injection of the same oestrogen preparation. Deafferentation had no effect on hepatic steroid metabolism in females, but caused a feminization in males. In addition, subcutaneous treatment of intact females with the synthetic androgen caused masculinization of hepatic steroid metabolism, but was without effect in differentiated animals. Treatment with synthetic androgens had no effect on the hepatic steroid metabolism in differentiated male animals. Subcutaneous injection of a potent synthetic progestagen had little effect on hepatic steroid metabolism in intact females. It is concluded that oestrogen feminizes hepatic steroid metabolism by an action at the hypothalamic-pituitary level and that an intact hypothalamic-pituitary axis is required for the masculinizing action of the synthetic androgen on hepatic steroid metabolism. It is possible that the site of action of androgens is in the anterior hypothalamus or in adjacent areas of the brain.