THE EFFECT OF NATURAL ESTROGENS AND A SYNTHETIC STEROID ON THE PHOSPHOLIPID METABOLISM OF THE CHICK

Abstract

Cockerels were treated with equivalent doses of one of three steroids; estrone, estradiol benzoate, or a new synthetic material, methoxy-methyl-estratriene-diol (SC-6924). The steroids increased in identical fashion the plasma phospholipid concentration and turnover rate and the hepatic phospholipid specific activity, In addition, evidence for steroid potentiation of a selective secretion into plasma of an hepatic lecithin fraction of high specific activity is presented. It was concluded that the steroids enhanced the activity of both the synthetic and the catabolic systems associated with hepatic phospholipid metabolism. Furthermore, it was apparent that lecithin synthesis in the liver proceeds more rapidly than does that of the cephalins as a result of the steroid treatment.