The effects of sex steroid hormones on the activities of basic carboxypeptidases in the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal system of male and female mice after stress

Abstract

The effects of testosterone and progesterone on the activities of carboxypeptidase E and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride-inhibited carboxypeptidase (PMSF-CP) after stress induced by an intraperitoneal injection of olive oil were studied in male and female mice. Sex-related differences in the activities of the studied carboxypeptidases were observed in both intact and stress-exposed animals, as well as after the injection of the steroid hormones. In females, stress and hormones mostly decreased the activity of carboxypeptidases, which resulted in the attenuation of differences between females and males. The alterations in the PMSF-CP activity were stronger than in the activity of carboxypeptidase E. The involvement of these enzymes in the mechanism of stress and formation of sex-related differences in the functioning of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal system, as well as the mechanism of the effects of sex-steroid hormones on the activities of these carboxypeptidases, are discussed.