The gender of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases

Determinations of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were made in selected reproductive tissues of rodents of both sexes. The kinetic properties of these enzymes were determined in tissues possessing measurable enzymatic activity. NAD-dependent ADH and ALDH were present in various rodents and were both species and strain-dependent. Rat testicular ADH and ALDH increased as a function of age compared to little changes occurring in ALDH measured in ductus deferans, penis, and seminal vesicle as a function of sexual maturity. The kinetics of rat testicular ALDH in adult male rats indicate low Km and a high Vmax compared to the remainder of male reproductive tissues studied. The apparent Km and Vmax for rat ovary, uterus and ovarian-ALDH were similar. Short-term drinking of 15% ethanol solution by adult male rats decreased specific activity of seminal vesicle ALDH from pair-fed controls. Administration of disulfiram for 5 consecutive days inhibited ductus deferans ALDH compared to controls. Adult female rat treated with Vitamin A for 5 days showed a reduction in uterus ALDH from respective controls. The results indicate the presence of NAD-dependent ADH and ALDH in male and female genital systems, which can be altered by pharmacologic interventions.