Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, elongase 6 and their fatty acid products and precursors are altered in ovariectomized rats with 17ß-estradiol and progesterone treatment.

ABSTRACT

Sex differences in monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) levels suggest ovarian hormones may affect MUFA biosynthesis. Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks of age) were ovariectomized or sham operated with ovariectomized rats implanted with a constant-release hormone pellet providing 17ß-estradiol, progesterone, both or neither at 10 weeks of age. After 14 days, rats were fasted overnight and sacrificed to collect plasma and livers for analysis. Hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) expression was unchanged between ovariectomized and sham controls, as determined by microarray and immunoblotting. However, SCD1 protein was increased in rats treated with estradiol plus progesterone. Elongase 6 protein levels were increased with 17ß-estradiol treatment compared with sham. Rats treated with 17ß-estradiol and 17ß-estradiol plus progesterone had increased 160, 180, 161n-7 and 181n-7 in hepatic and plasma phospholipids. Ovarian hormones appear to be involved with MUFA biosynthesis, but the relationship appears complex and involves elongase 6 and SCD1.