Porphyrin Synthesis by Mouse Harderian Gland Extracts: Sex, Age, and Strain Variation.

Abstract

The porphyrin -producing enzyme activity of the Harderian glands of mice of different strains, ages, and sex was determined. The Harderian gland of the C3H strain displayed the greatest porphyrin-producing enzyme activity, while the C57, A, and LCSa strains showed lower activity in the order listed. The age of the animals was the most important variable. From 2 weeks until 8 weeks there appeared to be a steady increase in the activity of porphyrin-producing enzyme. After this age, porphyrin-producing enzyme activity remained uniformly high in all animals of both sexes up to one year of age. Porphyrin metabolism in the Harderian gland may be linked with sexual development and sex hormone patterns.