Distribution of estradiol-17 beta hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase in the urogenital tract of control and neonatally estrogenized male mice: immunohistochemical, enzymehistochemical, and biochemical study.

The present study was conducted to investigate the regional distribution of the enzymes catalyzing the interconversion of the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups at C-17 of the estrogen molecule within the male urogenital tract of adult mouse and to test the hypothesis, whether regional differences in the distribution are critical for estrogen responses. The highest ratios of NADPH-dependent 3H-estrogen reduction to oxidation at C-17 of cell-free homogenates were obtained from coagulating gland and seminal vesicle as well as from the prostatic and lower intrapelvic urethra, which are considered the most estrogen-sensitive parts of the male urogenital tract. Both NADP- and NAD-dependent oxidation of 3H-17 beta-estradiol were low or nondetectable at these sites. The epithelium of the lower and prostatic urethra as well as the periurethral collecting ducts were stained with the antibody prepared against human placental 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase. The NAD-dependent 3H-estradiol-17 beta oxidase activity was highest in the bladder epithelium, and the activity declined sharply in the urinary tract from the bladder downward. The lowest detectable activities were found in vas deferens and prostate (combined ventral and dorsolateral lobes). The uneven distribution of estradiol-17 beta oxidase activity may provide additional explanation for the regional differences of estrogen responses. The NADPH-dependent 17 beta-reduction of estrone and the immunohistochemical staining of the human placental estradiol-17 beta oxidoreductase antigenicity were not significantly altered after neonatal estrogenization. These findings do not lend any support to the idea that the increased estrogen sensitivity observed after neonatal estrogenization is associated with changes in 17 beta-oxidoreduction. However, the possibility remains that there are specific sites (e.g., epithelium of prostatic urethra and collecting ducts) in which the changes in 17 beta-oxidoreduction of estrogen does play a role in the regulation of estrogen action.