Expression of hepatic 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and sulfotransferase 2A1 in entire and castrated male pigs

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of surgical (SC) and immunological castration on the steroid metabolizing enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and sulfotransferase 2A1 (SULT2A1) in male pigs. Thirty-two male pigs were divided in four groups; in one group the pigs were SC before the age of 7 days, two groups were injected with Improvac(®) a vaccine against gonadotropin releasing hormone (immunological castration), while the pigs in the last group remained entire males (EMs). Immunological castration was in one group performed by vaccine injection at ages 11 and 14 weeks, while the other group received injections at ages 17 and 21 weeks. Plasma, adipose and liver tissue were collected at the time of slaughter. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of testosterone and oestradiol. The adipose tissue was analyzed for the concentration of androstenone, while the liver tissue was analyzed for mRNA and protein expression of 3β-HSD and SULT2A1. Independent of method, all castrated pigs showed greater mRNA and protein expression of 3β-HSD and lower levels of all steroids in plasma compared with EMs. Moreover, there was a strong correlation between mRNA and protein expression of 3β-HSD and steroid levels. The same was not valid for expression of SULT2A1. It is concluded that steroid levels can increase expression of the steroid metabolizing enzyme 3β-HSD and thereby influence steroid metabolism, e.g. of androstenone.

Effects of hydroxy‐delta‐5‐steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta‐ and steroid delta‐isomerase 1 polymorphisms on fat androstenone level and gene expression in Duroc pigs

“…We amplified the GAPDH mRNA using the following primers: forward 5′-ACTCACTCTT CTACCTTTGATGCT-3′ and reverse 5′-TGTTGCTGTAGC CAAATTCA-3′. The result is consistent with previous reports that 3b-HSD expression in the liver is strongly, negatively correlated with androstenone accumulation in the fat tissue (Doran et al 2004;Chen et al 2007;Rasmussen et al 2012). The expression of GAPDH was almost the same among the groups (Ct values: GG, 21.32 AE 0.87; GA, 21.55 AE 0.73; AA, 21.16 AE 1.52).…”

Regulation of 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 Isomerase: A Review

“…The suggested agonistic effect of steroids on 3β-HSD expression is not consistent with in vivo finding. In pigs, both surgical castration and injection with anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (immunocastration) have been demonstrated to increase the mRNA and protein expression of hepatic 3β-HSD [53]. Both castration methods lowered the circulating concentration of testosterone and androstenone.…”

Estrus synchronization in microminipig using estradiol dipropionate and prostaglandin F_2α

“…Steroids including estradiol-17β are mainly metabolized in liver. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A and CYP2E) and 3β-hydoroxysteroid dehydrogenase are reported to be involved in the metabolism of testicular steroids (androstenone, estradiol-17β, and testosterone) in domestic pigs [39,40,41]. However, mRNA expressions and activities of steroid metabolizing enzymes in the porcine liver after testicular steroid treatment are known to vary with age [42], breed [42] and gender [40, 42].…”

“…Percentage of muscle and fat in the carcass are affected by genotypes in pigs [43]. The concentrations of androgen, a estradiol-17β precursor, in fat and estradiol-17β in peripheral blood in whole male pigs are significantly high compared to those in castrated pigs [41]. In our present study, even though the treatment dosage of EDP relative to body weight was equal in both MMpigs and domestic pigs, peak concentrations of estradiol-17β in blood after EDP treatment in MMpigs were higher than those in domestic pigs as reported earlier [29, 30].…”