Linked Life Data

11441136

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/11441136

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
7
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-7-6
pubmed:abstractText
Phospholipids and sterols are known to have multiple functions in reproductive tissue of mammals. High concentrations of the cholesterol precursor desmosterol have been described in testis, epididymis, and spermatozoa of various species. These findings and the recent discovery of some cholesterol precursors as meiosis-activating sterols suggest important functions of cholesterol precursors in fertility. Many sterol intermediates appear from the 19-step conversion of lanosterol, the first sterol synthesized in the cascade of cholesterol synthesis, to cholesterol. The biochemical basis of the genetically inherited Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome has been described as a defective conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholesterol. Since this discovery, interest has focused on this special cholesterol precursor. Here, we report high concentrations of 7- and 8-dehydrocholesterol in caput epididymidis and spermatozoa derived from caput epididymidis of Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats, which comprised up to 30% of total sterols. In contrast to caput epididymidis, 7- and 8-dehydrocholesterol were barely detected in cauda epididymidis or testis. Desmosterol increased several times from caput to cauda epididymidis. This is the first report of the natural appearance of high concentrations of dehydrocholesterols in mammalian tissue, and it underlines the putative importance of cholesterol precursors in reproductive tissue.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jul
pubmed:issn
0022-2275
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
42
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1089-95
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-3
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Neutral sterols of rat epididymis. High concentrations of dehydrocholesterols in rat caput epididymidis.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Str. 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't