THE EFFECT OF CIMATEROL AND ESTRADIOL-17-BETA, GIVEN ALONE OR COMBINED, ON OVINE LIPID-METABOLISM, PLASMA METABOLITES AND TISSUE CYCLIC-AMPCONCENTRATIONS

The effect of cimaterol (2 mg/kg dry matter in the diet) and oestradio l-17 beta (OE, 15 mg implanted sc) given alone or combined for 62 or 6 3 d was studied in 24 male castrate sheep. Neither cimaterol nor OE tr eatment in vivo affected indices of lipid metabolism. However, in vitr o studies suggested that added cimaterol: a) had little effect on lipo genesis; and b) increased lipolysis in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SC AT) at least as effectively as epinephrine. Plasma urea concentrations were reduced on d 7, 14 and 21 by cimaterol and on d 28 and 42 by OE. Plasma NEFA was reduced by OE treatment on d 7. Serum triacylglycerol concentrations were not affected by the treatment. Cimaterol reduced cyclic AMP concentrations in skeletal muscle (m gluteus) preparations. Treatment with OE reduced lipoprotein lipase activity of SCAT.