Aromatase and testosterone receptor in the liver of the female green frog, Rana esculenta

In the green frog, Rana esculenta, a peculiar feature of female reproductive endocrinology is an high level of circulating testosterone. Although several hypotheses have been set out to explain this phenomenon, the testosterone specific roles in female anuran have not been yet fully explored. This study results propose a testosterone implication in liver vitellogenin synthesis control, since in ovariectomized frogs the hormone induces an increase of circulating vitellogenin. The testosterone action could depend on its local conversion to 17 beta-estradiol by aromatase which is present in frog liver tissue. Liver aromatase activity ranges from 7.5 to 26 fmoles E-2 formed/mg protein/h and results higher as long as liver is engaged in vitellogenin synthesis. Aromatase activity seems depend on testosterone since it decreases after ovariectomy and is restored by testosterone injection in ovariectomized frogs. In green frog liver, testosterone binding molecules are present both in cytosol and nuclei. These molecule binding properties (K-d and B-max in nM range; t 1/2 = 85 min; specificity) are in line with those of testosterone receptor of other lower vertebrate target tissue. In liver nuclei, testosterone receptor level undergoes modification throughout the sexual cycle which almost coincides with that of plasma testosterone level and liver aromatase activity. This could indicate that the testosterone induction of liver aromatase in frogs is via the testosterone receptor, as reported for aromatase of mammalian brain tissues.