Testosterone and estradiol treatments differently affect pituitary-thyroid axis and liver deiodinase 1 activity in orchidectomized middle-aged rats

Abstract

We previously reported that orchidectomy (Orx) of middle-aged rats (15-16-month-old; MA) slightly affected pituitary-thyroid axis, but decreased liver deiodinase (Dio) type I and pituitary Dio2 enzyme activities. At present, we examined the effects of subsequent testosterone-propionate treatment (5 mg/kg; Orx + T), and compared the effects of testosterone with the effects of estradiol-clipropionate (0.06 mg/kg; Orx + E) treatment. Hormones were subcutaneously administered, daily, for three weeks, while Orx and sham-operated (SO) controls received only the vehicle. The applied dose of T did not alter serum TSH, T4 and T3 concentrations in Orx- MA, though it increased TSH when administrated to Orx young adults (2.5-month-old; Orx-YA). However, pituitaries of Orx-MA + T rats had higher relative intensity of immunofluorescence (RIP) for TSHI3; in their thyroids we found increased volume and height of follicular epithelium, decreased volume of the colloid and higher RIF for T,{[}-bound to thyroglobulin (Tg-T4). Liver Diol activity was increased. E-treatment did not affect serum hormone levels, pituitary RIF for TS1-11i, or liver Diol activity in Orx-MA rats. Thyroids had decreased relative volume and height of follicular epithelium, increased relative volume of the colloid, decreased volume of sodium iodide symporter-immunopositive epithelium and lower RIF for Tg-T4. Detected changes were statistically significant. In conclusion, androgenization enhanced pituitary TSHr, RIF, thyroid activation and liver Diol enzyme activity in Orx-MA, without elevating serum TSH as in Orx-YA rats. Estrogenization induced pituitary enlargement with no effect on pituitary TSHI) RIF, serum TSH or liver Diol activity. E also induced alterations in thyroid histology that indicate mild suppression of its functioning, and contributed to thyroid blood vessel enlargement in Orx-MA rats. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.