Catecholamines are required for testosterone induction of ornithine decarboxylase in the mouse kidney

This report presents a study on the influence of the adrenergic system on androgen-regulated ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC) in the mouse kidney. We have found that the existing levels of renal ODC in male mice and the increase induced by testosterone in male, female, castrated male and hypophysectomized mice were dramatically impaired by catecholamine depletion produced by treatment with either alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine or reserpine. Blockade of beta-receptors by treatment of the animals with the antagonists propranolol or bisoprolol was unable to prevent the effect of testosterone on the renal enzyme. However, alpha i-blockade obtained by treatment with prazosin or phenoxybenzamine was partially effective to produce the decrease of basal ODC in control male or to diminish ODC induction produced by androgens. All these findings demonstrate that catecholamines and alpha 1-adrenergic receptors are implicated in androgen-regulated ODC activity in the mouse kidney and suggest a plausible role of sympathetic renal innervation in enzyme induction by steroid hormones in this organ.