EXPRESSION OF GALACTOSE-1-PHOSPHATE URIDYLTRANSFERASE IN THE ANTERIOR-PITUITARY OF RAT DURING THE ESTROUS-CYCLE

Biological activity of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is depen dent on its pattern of glycosylation and is altered during galactosemi a, a genetic disease characterized by deficient activity of galactose- l-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT). To assess the role of this enzym e in the synthesis of FSH, the expression of GALT at the mRNA and prot ein levels was measured in the whole anterior pituitary during the est rous cycle of rat. GALT was maximally expressed during the proestrous and estrous phases of the estrous cycle. The expression pattern of GAL T was associated with gonadotropin-expressing cells. This close associ ation is in accordance with the postulated role of GALT in modulating biological activity of FSH.