Ferrochelatase (protohaem ferrolyase, EC 4.99.1.1), the terminal enzyme of the haem biosynthetic pathway, catalyses the insertion of ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX to form protohaem. The Syrian hamster Harderian gland (HG) is known for its ability to produce and accumulate large amounts of protoporphyrins. In this species, the female gland contains up to 120 times more porphyrin than the male gland. Data from biochemical studies suggest that this gland possesses the enzymatic complex for haem biosynthesis but lacks ferrochelatase activity. The abundance of intraglandular haem proteins does not support this idea. To gain more insight into this process, we isolated cDNA for ferrochelatase from hamster liver, using the 5′- and 3′- rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends (RACE), and investigated its expression in HG from males and females. The full-length cDNA comprises an open reading frame of 1269 bp encoding a polypeptide of 422 amino-acid residues. Hamster DNA sequence exhibits 92% identity to mouse and 87% identity to human sequences. The predicted hamster enzyme was shown to have structural features of mammalian ferrochelatase, including a putative NH₂- terminal presequence, a central core of about 330 amino-acid residues and an extra 30–50-amino-acid stretch at the carboxyl-terminus. RNA blotting experiments indicated that this cDNA hybridized to a liver mRNA of about 2.1 kb, while a weak hybridization signal was observed with mRNA from HG preparations. RT–PCR assays confirmed the expression of specific transcripts in both tissues. Male glands contained approximately twofold more enzyme mRNA than female glands. Likewise, the intraglandular content of mRNA varied during the oestrous cycle, with the highest levels found in the oestrous phase. These cyclic variations were less evident in liver. Ovariectomy plus treatment with progesterone or 17β-oestradiol plus progesterone increased ferrochelatase mRNA of the gland. In HG of short- or long-term castrated males, the administration of testosterone did not affect the ferrochelatase mRNA concentration. Based on mRNA expression levels, we conclude that Harderian ferrochelatase may play an active role in maintaining the physiological pool of haem required for processing cytochromes and other glandular haem proteins. Likewise, the sex-steroid hormones appear to have only a modest influence upon Harderian ferrochelatase.

The aim of this work was to study the influence of the endocrine balance between thyroid hormones, insulin and growth hormone (GH) on the regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), complementing a study previously reported for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in similar populations. Serum concentrations of IGFBPs-1 to -3 were assayed by Western ligand blot and their mRNA expression in the liver assayed by RNase protection assay in the hypothyroid populations: thyroidectomized and mercapto-1-methylimidazole (MMI)-treated neonates, and thyroidectomized adult rats at different periods after thyroidectomy. Serum concentrations of insulin, GH and IGF-I were increased in thyroidectomized neonates and decreased in the other populations. IGFBPs-1 and -2 increased 79% and 50% respectively in thyroidectomized neonatal rats compared with control at 15 days after thyroidectomy, whereas only IGFBP-2 increased (87%) in MMI-treated neonates, which had low serum insulin and GH compared with control on the same days. In thyroidectomized adult rats, IGFBPs-1 and -2 decreased 60% compared with controls on all days studied. Furthermore, when streptozotocin was administered to thyroidectomized neonates and insulin was given to thyroidectomized adult rats to restore insulin to control values in both groups, a differential regulation was found for IGFBPs-1 and -2. The transcriptionally induced decrease in IGFBP-3 (20-25% compared with control in neonates and 50% in adult rats), however, seemed to be regulated by GH and IGF-I. The similarity of changes in IGFBPs found in hypothyroid, undernourished and streptozotocin-induced diabetic neonatal rats suggests that the regulatory effect of insulin or GH on the IGFBPs requires the reduced biologically active thyroid hormone that is found in these three populations.

The effects of different doses of thyroxine (T(4)) delivered by injection or s.c. pellet implantation on alterations of the IGF/IGF binding protein (IGFBP) system were studied in neonatal and adult thyroidectomized (Tx) rats. Body weight, blood glucose, plasma insulin, TSH and GH and pituitary GH content, as well as serum IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-1, -2 and -3 and their liver mRNA expression were assayed. Pellet implantation with the smaller dose of T(4) (1.5 microg/100 g body weight (b.w.) per day) in Tx neonatal rats decreased serum IGF-I, -II and the 30 kDa complex of IGFBPs (IGFBP-1 and -2), and increased serum IGFBP-3. Only the larger dose of T(4) (3 microg/100 g b.w. per day) recovered liver mRNA expression of IGF-I and ensured euthyroid status as shown by the normalized levels of plasma TSH. The rapid increase of body weight and serum GH after T(4) administration indicated a high sensitivity to T(4) during the neonatal period. Serum and liver mRNA expression of IGFs and plasma insulin and GH recovered in adult Tx rats after pellet implantation of 1.75 microg/100 g b.w. per day throughout 10 days. The continuous replacement of T(4) by pellet seems to be the most suitable method for thyroid rehabilitation. A very good correlation was found between insulin and IGF-II in Tx neonates treated with T(4) but not between insulin and IGF-I in Tx adults. IGFBP-2 seems to be up-regulated by T(4) deprivation in neonatal and adult rats. Finally, a good correlation as well as a partial correlation were found between IGFs and thyroid hormones in both neonatal and adult Tx populations, suggesting a direct effect in vivo of T(4) on the hepatic secretion of IGFs, as previously suggested in vitro.

The gene for estrogen receptor α (ERα) has been shown to be under complex hormonal control and its activity can be regulated by mRNA alternative splicing. Here we examined the regulation of ERα transcription and translation in the rat uterus by ovarian steroid hormones. We examined whether expression of ERα mRNA splice isoforms is hormonally regulated in ovariectomized (OVX) and cycling rats. Adult OVX female rats were treated daily with 17-β estradiol (E₂) (0.05 μg/rat or 5 μg/rat), progesterone (P₄) (1 mg/rat) or a combination of both hormones for 4 days. Animals were killed 24 h after the last injection and uterine horns were removed. In order to determine whether ERα mRNA isoforms are differentially expressed under various physiological conditions, animals were evaluated at proestrus, estrus and diestrus. The ERα protein and mRNA were detected by immunohistochemistry and comparative RT-PCR analysis respectively. The presence of ERα mRNA isoforms was evaluated using a nested RT-PCR assay. In OVX control rats, ERα mRNA and protein levels were high, demonstrating a constitutive expression of the ERα gene in the uterus. When animals received P₄ or the high dose of E₂, a significant decrease in both ERα mRNA and protein was observed in the uterus. However, when rats were protein was treated with the low dose of E₂, only the ERα down-regulated; no changes were observed in ERα mRNA expression. In addition to the full-length ERα mRNA, OVX control rat uteri expressed three shorter transcripts: Σ3, Σ4 and Σ3,4 (lacking exon 3, exon 4, or both 3 and 4 respectively). Surprisingly, when OVX animals were treated with P₄, the low dose of E₂ or a combination of both steroids, expression of the Σ3 isoform was completely abolished. During the estrous cycle, all ERα mRNA splicing variants were detected at proestrus and estrus. However, in diestrus, significant low levels of the Σ3 isoform were observed. In summary, our results suggest a dose-dependent relationship between E₂ concentrations and the level of control in the ERα transcription–translation cascade. Moreover, the alternative splicing of the ERα primary transcript is influenced by the hormonal milieu, suggesting that these events could affect the estrogen responsiveness of the rat uterus during the estrous cycle.

Neonatal handling induces anovulatory estrous cycles and decreases sexual receptivity in female rats. The synchronous secretion of hormones from the gonads (estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P)), pituitary (luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating (FSH) hormones) and hypothalamus (LH-releasing hormone (LHRH)) are essential for the reproductive functions in female rats. The present study aimed to describe the plasma levels of E₂ and P throughout the estrous cycle and LH, FSH and prolactin (PRL) in the afternoon of the proestrus, and the LHRH content in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), median eminence (ME) and medial septal area (MSA) in the proestrus, in the neonatal handled rats. Wistar pup rats were handled for 1 min during the first 10 days after delivery (neonatal handled group) or left undisturbed (nonhandled group). When they reached adulthood, blood samples were collected through a jugular cannula and the MPOA, ME and MSA were microdissected. Plasma levels of the hormones and the content of LHRH were determined by RIA. The number of oocytes counted in the morning of the estrus day in the handled rats was significantly lower than in the nonhandled ones. Neonatal handling reduces E₂ levels only on the proestrus day while P levels decreased in metestrus and estrus. Handled females also showed reduced plasma levels of LH, FSH and PRL in the afternoon of the proestrus. The LHRH content in the MPOA was significantly higher than in the nonhandled group. The reduced secretion of E₂, LH, FSH and LHRH on the proestrus day may explain the anovulatory estrous cycle in neonatal handled rats. The reduced secretion of PRL in the proestrus may be related to the decreased sexual receptiveness in handled females. In conclusion, early-life environmental stimulation can induce long-lasting effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis.

Many hormones/cytokines are secreted in response to exercise and cytokine signaling may play a pivotal role in the training adaptations. To investigate the importance of cytokine signaling during vertical ladder climbing, a resistance exercise model, we produced mice lacking SOCS3 protein exclusively in steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1) cells (SF1 Socs3 KO mice). SF1 expression is found in steroidogenic cells of the adrenal cortex and gonads, as well as in neurons of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. Histological markers of the fetal adrenal zone (or X-zone in rodents) were still present in adult males and postpartum SF1 Socs3 KO females, suggesting a previously unrecognized effect of SOCS3 on the terminal differentiation of the adrenal gland. This change led to a distinct distribution of lipid droplets along the adrenal cortex. Under basal conditions, adult SF1 Socs3 KO mice exhibited similar adrenal weight, and plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations. Nonetheless, SF1 Socs3 KO mice exhibited a blunted ACTH-induced corticosterone secretion. The overall metabolic responses induced by resistance training remained unaffected in SF1 Socs3 KO mice, including changes in body adiposity, glucose tolerance and energy expenditure. However, training performance and glucose control during intense resistance exercise were impaired in SF1 Socs3 KO mice. Furthermore, a reduced counter-regulatory response to 2-deoxy-d-glucose was observed in mutant mice. These findings revealed a novel participation of SOCS3 regulating several endocrine and metabolic aspects. Therefore, cytokine signaling in SF1 cells exerts an important role to sustain training performance possibly by promoting the necessary metabolic adjustments during exercise.