Influence of Sex Hormones on Citrate Synthesis in Liver.

Abstract

After the administration of Na fluoroacetate (3.5 mg./kg there is a marked accumulation of citric acid in the liver of female, but not of male rats. Since castration of female rats did not alter the citrate formation in the liver, estrogens do not stimulate citrate synthesis. Male rats accumulated citrate in the liver after castration or adrenalectomy. The daily subcut. admn. of testosterone propionate (0.5 to 2 mg./kg decreased citrate synthesis in the livers of female rats. Testosterone also produced a 50% depression of citrate formation by liver homogenates in vitro when 150 ug. were added to each Warburg flask. Androgens apparently suppress citric acid formation in the liver.