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Sexual dimorphism in the liver.

A K Roy, B Chatterjee

Annual Review of Physiology

|January 1, 1983

Summary

The liver exhibits significant sexual dimorphism, with females producing egg yolk proteins and males having distinct proteins. Sex hormones, particularly androgens, drive these liver differences through a process called imprinting.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Hepatology
Reproductive Biology

Background:

The liver in oviparous females is crucial for producing egg yolk proteins like vitellogenin.
Significant sexual dimorphism exists in the liver, impacting protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and detoxification.
Sex-specific proteins, enzymes, and hormone receptors are present in the liver, with examples including alpha 2mu Globulin in rats.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the physiological and molecular basis of sexual dimorphism in the liver.
To understand the role of sex hormones in regulating sex-specific gene expression in the liver.
To investigate the mechanism of "pre- and neonatal imprinting" by sex hormones on hepatic hormone receptors.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of hepatic protein and enzyme expression between male and female animals.
Investigation of gene expression patterns in response to androgenic and estrogenic hormones.
Study of hepatic hormone receptor expression and regulation during development and aging.

Main Results:

The liver's major role in egg yolk protein synthesis necessitates pronounced sexual dimorphism.
Sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) mediate the differential gene expression of male- and female-specific hepatic proteins.
Hepatic receptors for sex hormones also exhibit sexual dimorphism and are influenced by "pre- and neonatal imprinting".

Conclusions:

Sexual dimorphism in the liver is a critical adaptation for reproduction, driven by sex hormones.
Hormonal imprinting during early development establishes the foundation for sex-specific liver functions and hormone responsiveness.
Further research into the imprinting mechanism offers insights into contemporary endocrinology and liver function.

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