ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
This investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of aging on alkaline phosphomonoesterase (Alk Pase) activity in the adrenals of a highly inbred strain of C57BL/10 male mice. A total of 140 male mice were assigned to seven main groups and sacrificed at 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 months of age for biochemical and morphologic evaluations of adrenal Alk Pase activity. The biochemical findings indicated that while aging may result in a decrease of serum and liver Alk Pase activity, enzyme activity in the adrenals of male mice increases to a maximum level at approximately eight months of age and subsequently decreases at each successive age level. The histochemical findings revealed that the highest concentrations of enzyme activity occurred in the fascicular and reticular zones of sexually mature male mice. There were no major variations in zonal distribution with advancing age. Electron microscopy showed Alk Pase activity along membranes of cortical cells and within the subendothelial space.The progressive increase in Alk Pase enzyme activity up to eight months of age, and the subsequent fall in activity during senescence as well as its absence in the adrenals of female mice provides further support for a role of androgen in mobilizing cortical alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity.
Additional Material:
17 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1091630309