Prostaglandin interacts with steroid sex hormones in the regulation of intestinal zinc transport.

1. The effects of prostaglandins (PGs) E1 and E2, testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol and indomethacin on the intestinal zinc transport rates of male and female rats were compared. 2. PGE1 stimulated Jms (the zinc flux rate from mucosa-to-serosa) of jejunal segments from male rats but inhibited Jms of those from female rats in Ussing chamber experiments. 3. 17 beta-Estradiol inhibited Jms of jejunal segments from male rats, while testosterone stimulated it in those from female rats. However, testosterone inhibited Jms of segments isolated from male rats and 17 beta-estradiol that of those from female rats, while in segments from ovariectomized rats, both of these steroid hormones stimulated Jms. 4. When PGE2 was added to an indomethacin containing medium, Jms significantly increased whereas Jsm (the zinc flux rate from serosa-to-mucosa) decreased further.