Detection of the expression of the gene encoding aromatase in non ovarian tissue from female Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

• Grant number: 06/04812-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2007
• End date: August 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Claudio Alvarenga de Oliveira
• Grantee: Claudio Alvarenga de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The quantification of fecal steroid metabolites was validated as a tool for monitoring ovarian activity in the Syrian hamster. In a subsequent study we measured estradiol and progesterone metabolites in the feces of intact and ovariectomized females. Unexpectedly, they were no significant difference between the concentrations of fecal estrogens measured in intact (11,25 ± 0,50 ng/g of feces) and ovariectomized females (11,25 ± 0,80 ng/g of feces). We hypothesized that synthesis of estrogens is occurring out of the ovaries.The aim of this study is the investigation of the expression of the gene encoding aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) in non ovarian tissue from intact and ovariectomized female Syrian hamster. (AU)