Sex differences in adrenal and hepatic alpha-tocopherol concentrations in rats

Studies were done to determine whether there were differences in adrenal or hepatic concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in male versus female rats. alpha-Tocopherol levels were far greater in adrenal glands and livers from females than from males. There was no sex difference in the subcellular distribution of alpha-tocopherol in either organ, but alpha-tocopherol concentrations were generally greater in all subcellular fractions from females. Mitochondrial fractions contained approximately 50% of the total adrenal and hepatic alpha-tocopherol content. The results suggest that alpha-tocopherol concentrations in rat adrenals and livers are controlled, at least partly, by the gonadal hormones.