Androgenic suppression of mouse hepatic FAD-containing monooxygenase activity

Sex-related differences in the activity of hepatic FAD-containing monooxygenase (FAD-M) were found in C3H/St mice. Adult female mice had enzyme activities nearly two-fold greater than male mice and these differences, which were absent in sexually immature mice, became apparent at the onset of puberty. The sex differences in hepatic FAD-M appeared to be mediated through the suppressive effect of testosterone; castration of male mice enhanced enzyme activity, while androgenic replacement returned activities to control levels. Testosterone's suppressive effect was found to be relatively specific for hepatic FAD-M. Treatment of castrated male mice with both the anti-androgen flutamide and testosterone returned enzyme activity to control levels, suggesting that testosterone's regulation of hepatic microsomal FAD-M is receptor-mediated. Female gonadectomy had no effect on this enzyme's activity.