NEURONAL REGULATION OF ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE INDUCED BY ANDROGENS IN THE MOUSE KIDNEY

1. Neuronal, but not circulating catecholamines, regulate the induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) by testosterone in the mouse kidney. 2. Central and peripheral catecholamine-depleting agents, such as reserpine or alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, exerted a more pronounced effect on renal ODC than the selective agents tetrabenazine or guanethidine. 3. Benserazide and haloperidol decreased the induction of renal ODC produced by testosterone in female mice. 4. Renal denervation produced a partial inhibition of renal ODC in male mice and decreased the induction of ODC elicited by testosterone in female mice. 5. These results suggest that both peripheral sympathetic neurons as well as central related factors can modulate the effect of androgens on renal ODC activity.