POTASSIUM REGULATES PLASMA TESTOSTERONE AND RENAL ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE IN MICE

Potassium deficiency produced different effects in the kidney of male or female mice. While in female, potassium deficiency caused a marked renal hypertrophy with no significant changes in testosterone-regulate d enzymes, such as ornithine decarboxylase and beta-glucuronidase, in the male the same treatment provoked a marked fall of these enzymes ow ing to a dramatic decrease in plasma testosterone. Potassium replenish ment restored plasma testosterone and renal enzymatic activities. Thes e results show for the first time, that potassium modulates circulatin g testosterone and suggest that this cation could exert an important r egulatory role in controlling androgen actions.