Cytoplasmic estrogen, but not progestin, binding sites in male rat adipose tissues

Male rat adipose tissues contain cytoplasmic estrogen binding sites comparable to those found in females. This bindng is of high affinity (Kd = 1.7 x 10(-10) M) and is estrogen specific. Binding of 17 beta-estradiol was inhibited by radioinert estrogens (17 beta-estradiol and R 2858) but not by other steroids (progesterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, and corticosterone). Estrogen binding sites were found in all fat pads studied, but levels were highest in the epididymal pads. Treatment of female rats with 17 beta-estradiol benzoate (E2B) induced cytoplasmic progestin receptors in adipose tissues, but in three separate experiments, E2B treatment (20 microgram/day for 3 days) failed to induce measurable progestin ([3H]R 5020) binding sites in males. E2B treatment reduced lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity by approximately 75% in epididymal (male) and parametrial (female) fat pads. Concurrent progesterone treatment increased parametrial LPL activity in E2B-treated females, but progesterone had no effect on epididymal fat pad LPL activity in males. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in male rats aromatized (estrogenic) metabolites of testosterone may reduce body fat content and alter lipid metabolism by direct actions on adipose tissues.