Steroid 5α-reductase type 1 immunolocalized in the adrenal gland of normal, gonadectomized, and sex hormone-supplemented rats

Abstract

Steroid 5alpha-reductase in the rat adrenal gland is supposed to play a role in the catabolism of adrenal steroids. We showed immunohistochemically the cellular and subcellular localization of 5alpha-reductase in the rat adrenal gland, using a polyclonal antibody against 5alpha-reductase rat type 1. In the adrenal cortex, positive immunoreaction was found in the cells of the zonae fasciculata and reticularis but was absent in those of the zona glomerulosa. The positive staining was restricted to the cytoplasm but not to the nucleus, Golgi complexes or mitochondria. The staining intensity showed a marked change depending on the steroidal milieu. Gonadectomy for 6 weeks increased the immunoreaction, regardless of the sex. Testosterone replacement for the last 2 weeks considerably reduced the immunoreaction in 6-week-castrated males, and estradiol supplement for the last 2 weeks also resulted in the marked reduction of immunostaining in 6-week-gonadectomized females. In the adrenal medulla, the immunoreaction was localized in the supporting cells and the Schwann cells but not in the chromaffin cells. In these cells, the immunoreaction was not affected by steroidal treatments. These findings suggest that the expression of 5alpha-reductase in the rat adrenal cortex is regulated by sex hormones from the gonads, and the enzyme may participate in the conversion of adrenal steroids depending on the steroidal environment, although the functional significance of the enzyme in the adrenal medulla remains unclarified.

Expression of estrogen, estrogen related and androgen receptors in adrenal cortex of intact adult male and female rats

“…As reviewed earlier [1], in the rat adrenal cortex this enzyme system is regulated by sex hormones as well as by the pituitary ACTH. As evidenced by immunohistochemistry, 5a-reductase type 1 is expressed in the cells of the ZF and ZR but not in ZG [44]. Thus, these data differ notably from our findings showing expression of 5a-reductase genes in both ZG and ZF/R of adult male and female rats.…”

Adrenocortical insufficiency in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, a type 2 diabetes mellitus model

“…In adrenal glands, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) type 1, 11β-HSD type 2, and 5α-reductase type 1 play important roles in controlling steroid secretion [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase catalyzes the interconversion of active glucocorticoids (corticosterone in rodents, cortisol in human) and inactive keto forms (11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents, cortisone in human).…”

Expression profiles of differentially expressed genes affecting fecundity in goat ovarian tissues

“…SRD5A2 is located on chromosome 2p23 and has five exons and four introns. It is mainly expressed in the reproductive system and prostate tissue (Ellsworth et al, 1995), has a high affinity for steroid substrates, and participates in the reproductive system and prostate tissue development (Yokoi et al, 1998). SRD5A2 is also closely related with fertilization (Kang et al, 2014), sexual abnormality (Kostyrko et al, 1994), prostate disease (Kaefer et al, 1996;Akalu et al, 1999), polycystic ovary syndrome (Goodarzi et al, 2006), and cancer (Akalu et al, 1999;Li et al, 2013).…”