Sex steroids and intestinal amino acid transport in rainbow trout, Salmo airdneri Richardson

Abstract

The effects of sane anabolic and naturally-occuring sex steroids on intestinal transport of leucine have been studied in rainbow trout (Sallno gairdneri), in vivo (gut perfusion), and in vitro (everted gut sacs or intestinal strips). Administration of 17a-methyltestosterone (Mr) by injection for a prolo03ed period of time, enhanced intestinal transport and accumulation of leucine. 11-ketotestosterone (KT) or MT treatment in vitro, by direct addition to incubation media, elicited significant short-term increases in active transport of leucine, without effecting intestinal accumulation. Luminal administration of Mr in vivo similarly elicited short-term responses, without effecting leucine accumulation in the intestine or other peripheral tissues. However; neither MT nor KT significantly affected intestinal transport of water in trout. Although long term injection of oestradiol (E2) enhanced intestinal transport and accumulation of leucine, E2 treatment in vitro was without effect. Addition of ouabain or 2,4,dinitrophenol in the presence of MT abolished steroid-stimulated leucine transform, in vitro. No significant differences were observed between immature male or female trout with respect to either transport of leucine and water, or intestinal granular cell density. However, 'apparent' Na+ absorption and percentage fold height were higher in females, while total intestinal thickness and enterocyte heights were greater in males. These sex differences were essentially abolished. after gonadectany. It is suggested that the short-term effects of the androgenic steroids might be partly mediated through increased activity of Na+,K+,ATPase, and that steroid-induced growth promotion in fish may,to sane extent, be a consequence of enhanced efficiency of intestinal function.