Response of transcortin and alpha 2u-globulin to turpentine-induced inflammation in the rat: influence of corticosteroids and prolactin.

Evidence is presented that (transcortin and alpha 2u-globulin react as negative acute-phase proteins in the rat. Thirty-six hours after turpentine injection, the serum concentration of these proteins showed a two- to threefold decrease. Thereafter, transcortin rapidly returned to normal values, whereas alpha 2u-globulin remained low.

Heterogeneity of alpha 2u-globulin gene products in different translational systems, plasma and urine.

alpha 2u-Globulin, an androgen dependent rat urinary protein, displays considerable microheterogeneity. To explore whether this microheterogeneity of alpha 2u-globulin in male rat urine is related to the heterogeneity at the level of the genes encoding this protein, or whether it is due to post-translational processing we studied the alpha 2u-globulin mRNA translation products in rabbit reticulocyte and Xenopus oocytes. Comparison of the alpha 2u-globulin species produced in these two heterologous systems with those observed in plasma and urine indicates that the heterogeneity of this protein in urine is mainly due to heterogeneity at the level of the corresponding mRNAs.

Different forms of alpha 2u-globulin in male and female rat urine.

alpha 2u-Globulin is usually considered to be present only in male rat urine. This study demonstrates that a very similar protein exists in female rat urine and compares its properties with those of the male form. Isoelectric focusing followed by immunofixation reveals considerable microheterogeneity of alpha 2u-globulin in male and female rat urine.

Incidence, growth and oestradiol-receptor levels of 7, 12-dimethylbenz (alpha) anthracene-induced mammary tumours in rats: effects of neonatal sex steroids and oestradiol implants.

The effects of neonatally administered steroids on the sensitivity of the mammary gland to tumour induction by 7, 12-dimethylbenz (alpha) anthracene was studied as a model for delayed (de) differentiating effects of steroid hormones. Immediately after birth male and female rats were gonadectomized and treated with testosterone, oestradiol or oil. Control animals were left intact.

Lack of effect of the vitamin D status on the concentration of the vitamin D-binding protein in rat serum.

The influence of the vitamin D status on the concentration of the serum vitamin D-binding protein was studied. In normal rats the serum vitamin D-binding protein increases gradually from birth to adulthood; after puberty a higher concentration is found in male rats than in female rats. Rats fed a vitamin D-deficient diet containing a sufficient amount of calcium and phosphorus were found to have a normal DBP (binding protein for vitamin D and its hydroxylated metabolites) pattern indistinguishable from that of rats receiving the same diet but supplemented with a weekly injection of 500 microgram vitamin D3.