Lipid peroxide metabolism in oophorectomised rats.

The effect of bilateral oophorectomy and the administration of beta-estradiol on lipid peroxide metabolism were studied in rats. The lipid peroxide levels were measured in the oophorectomised and the estradiol administered animals. The level of lipid peroxide increased in the liver in oophorectomised animals, whereas no change was observed in the heart. The activity of antiperoxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase was found to be decreased in both the liver and the heart. Oophorectomy resulted in the elevation of serum ceruloplasmin. Administration of estradiol to oophorectomised rats restored the altered lipid peroxide levels.