N-ACETYLTRANSFERASE ACTIVITY IN THE HARDERIAN GLANDS OF THE SYRIAN-HAMSTER, MESOCRICETUS-AURATUS, IS REGULATED BY ANDROGENS AND BY HORMONES OF THE PITUITARY-THYROID AXIS

This study tested the hypothesis that activity of the enzyme N-acetyltransferase (NAT) in the Harderian gland of the Syrian hamster is regulated both by androgens and by hormones of the pituitary-thyroid axis. To test the effects of castration and hypothyroidism, intact or castrated male hamsters were given either tap water or methimazole in their drinking water for 3 weeks. Methimazole suppresses iodination of thyroglobulin, thereby decreasing circulating levels of thyroid hormones and increasing TSH levels. Hypothyroidism or castration caused elevated or depressed Harderian gland NAT activities respectively, compared with euthyroid control. When castration and hypothyroidism were combined, the animals exhibited high NAT activity compared with castrated euthyroid males. To test the effects of castration and hyperthyroidism, male hamsters were given daily injections of thyroxine (T4) or diluent and were either castrated or left intact for 4 weeks. Intact animals given T4 had depressed Harderian NAT activity; serum thyroid hormone levels were elevated and TSH levels were depressed compared with those of intact controls. Castrated animals had depressed NAT activity below that of intact controls; serum thyroid hormone levels were normal but TSH levels were depressed. Castrated animals given T4 injections had NAT activity similar to that of euthyroid castrated hamsters; thyroid hormone levels were elevated but TSH levels were similar to those seen in euthyroid castrated hamsters. In another experiment, both T4 and tri-iodothyronine (T3) were equally effective in decreasing NAT activity in intact males. To determine the effects of the removal of pituitary influences, male hamsters were hypophysectomized. NAT activity in the Harderian glands of these animals was reduced compared with intact controls. Injection of T4 in hypophysectomized male hamsters did not alter NAT activity from that of hypophysectomized hamsters. Female hamsters give methimazole for 3 weeks had elevated Harderian NAT activity compared with controls. Injection of T4 or T3 for 4 weeks led to significantly reduced Harderian gland NAT activity compared with untreated controls. This response to thyroid hormones was the same, whether T4 or T3 was used. These results can be explained by androgens stimulating Harderian NAT activity, as has been suggested by previous published reports, and by NAT activity being inhibited by thyroid hormones or stimulated by TSH.