Ventral prostatic phosphomonoesterases and adenosine triphosphatases in hypo- and hyperthyroid albino rats

Specific activities of prostatic phosphomonoesterases (acid and alkaline phosphatases) and adenosine triphosphatases (Mg2+, Ca2+ and Na+/K+ dependent ATPases) were studied in albino rats, under altered thyroid hormone status. Thyroidectomy induced hypothyroidism decreased the specific activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, Na+/K+ and Ca2+ dependent ATPases in ventral prostate. Hyperthyroidism (25 micrograms thyroxine/100g body weight/day for 60 days, im) enhanced the activities of acid phosphatase and Na+/K+ dependent ATPase, while Ca2+ dependent ATPase decreased. The altered thyroid status had no effect on the activity of ventral prostatic Mg2+ dependent ATPase. The data obtained in the present study showed differential and specific responses of various ventral prostatic phosphatases to the hypo or hyperthyroid status. The study also shows the necessity of an optimum level of thyroid hormones to maintain the normal activities of these enzymes and their secretory function in ventral prostate.