AROMATASE CYTOCHROME-P450 AND 5-ALPHA-REDUCTASE IN THE AMYGDALA AND CORTEX OF PERINATAL RATS

THE major androgen metabolizing enzymes, aromatase cytochrome P450 and 5 alpha-reductase play critical role(s) in the development of sexuall y dimorphic brain structures, the modulation of neuroendocrine functio n(s) and the regulation of sexual and non-sexual behaviors. Using esta blished assays, we detected 5 alpha-reductase and aromatase enzymatic activities in amygdala and frontal cortical tissue from male and femal e rats during the perinatal interval (from gestational day (GD) 19 to postnatal day (PND) 6). The present findings indicate that 5 alpha-red uctase and aromatase rates in the cortex display different enzyme prof iles, while in the amygdala tissue site a similar pattern is seen for both enzymes during perinatal development. In general, there was a lac k of sex differences in the enzymatic rates. The importance these enzy me systems play in generating androgen (and progesterone) steroid meta bolites which influence neural development and function are discussed.