Effect of estradiol on the temporal pattern of exercise-induced tissue glycogen depletion in male rats.

The effect of 17 beta-estradiol 3-benzoate (10 micrograms.01 ml of sunflower oil-1 x 100 g body wt-1) on the temporal pattern of exercise-induced tissue glycogen depletion and tissue lipid availability during submaximal treadmill running was determined in male rats. Animal were administered estradiol or oil for 5 days and were then time matched for motorized treadmill running for 30, 60, 90, or 120 min. Significant depletion of liver, soleus muscle, and red and white vastus lateralis muscle tissue glycogen occurred in oil-administered animals run between 30 and 120 min. The greatest extent of tissue glycogen depletion occurred during the first 30 min of exercise with the rate of glycogen depletion slowing between 30 and 120 min of exercise. Administration of estradiol attenuated the temporal pattern of glycogen depletion in both liver and muscle tissues. Significant depletion of red and white vastus glycogen of estradiol-administered animals did not occur until 90 and 120 min of exercise, respectively. Administration of estradiol significantly increased resting plasma free fatty acids and red and white vastus triacylglycerol content. These data indicate that estradiol administration for 5 days resulted in significant glycogen sparing of liver and muscle tissues during submaximal treadmill running for up to 120 min by altering the temporal pattern of glycogen depletion of male rats secondary to an estradiol-mediated increase in availability of lipid substrate during exercise.