Quantitation of polyamines in hypothalamus and pituitary of female and male developing rats.

ABSTRACT

The quantitation of four polyamines in hypothalamus and pituitary is studied in male and female developing rats using an improved high-performance liquid chromatography method. In the hypothalamus, putrescine (PUT) reaches the highest concentration (nmol/mg protein) on day 6. It shows the lowest value in comparison with any other polyamine. Spermidine (SPD) is high during the first postnatal days. Spermine (SPM) fluctuates, and agmatine (AGM) is highest during the first week. SPD, SPM and AGM are lower in females. In the pituitary, PUT, SPD and AGM are high during the first week. SPM remains constant and it is higher in males. AGM is higher in males only on day 1. PUT shows the lowest concentration of all. Concentrations of PUT, SPD and SPM are higher in the pituitary; AGM is higher in the hypothalamus. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (a specific and irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase) decreases PUT and SPD, increased SPM and AGM remain unchanged in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Thus, each polyamine has its own pattern in hypothalamus and in pituitary during development in males and females; these changes could be related to the hypothalamic control of pituitary secretion of hormones related to reproduction in mammals.