[Dynamics of steroid hormones in hypercholesterolemic rats]

We evaluated the dynamics of endogeneous steroid hormones in hypercholesterolemic rats (HLR) F14, F10 in part, obtained by brother-sister mating of Sprague Dawley strain animals. Plasma free and total cholesterol levels in F14 and F10 were significantly high both in both sexes as compared with controls, however, hypertension did not always occur in the HLR; in one group the pressure was elevated but in another, it was normal. Weight of the ovaries was significantly higher than in the controls while weight of the uterus was significantly lower than in the controls. Progestin (progesterone, 20 alpha-OH-P) levels in the ovary were significantly higher (2-3 times) than in the controls, but the estradiol levels were significantly lower (1/2-1/3). Cyclic changes in vaginal smears were somewhat irregular and a continuous diestrus was infrequent. Weight of the testicles and the testosterone levels were significantly lower than in the controls while the estradiol level was somewhat higher. Weight of the prostate was normal. In both sexes, adrenal weights were significantly higher than in the controls. In female rats, adrenal corticosterone and 18-OH-DOC were significantly higher than in the controls, but such was not the case in the adrenals of male rats. All our results taken together, suggest that disturbance in hormonal regulation, particularly of the reproductive system in rats occurred in genetically induced hypercholesterolemia.