Polyamines and nucleic acids in the mouse kidney induced to growth by testosterone propionate

Abstract

Daily injections of testosterone propionate to castrated mice resulted in a striking increase in kidney weight. Renal putrescine rose sharply and the amounts of spermidine and spermine were also increased. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase was enhanced to values of more than 1 000 times the control level within a few days of testosterone substitution. A moderate and temporary increase in the activity of the putrescine-activated S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase was observed. Testosterone injections produced a large increase of renal RNA but only a minor change in DNA. It is apparent that in mice distinct alterations in polyamine metabolism occur during the development of renal hypertrophy induced by testosterone administration.