Identification of 5α-reductase isoenzymes in canine skin.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Alopecia X in dogs is a noninflammatory alopecia that may be caused by a hormonal dysfunction. It may be similar to androgenic alopecia in men that is caused by the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The 5α-reductase isoenzymes, 5αR1 and 5αR2, and a recently described 5αR3, are responsible for the conversion of testosterone into DHT. However, which 5α-reductases are present in canine skin has not yet been described.

OBJECTIVES:

The main objective of this study was to determine the pattern of expression of 5α-reductase genes in canine skin.

METHODS:

Skin biopsies were obtained from healthy, intact young-mature beagles (three males, four females) at three anatomical sites normally affected by alopecia X (dorsal neck, back of thighs and base of tail) and two sites generally unaffected (dorsal head and ventral thorax). Prostate samples (n = 3) were collected as positive controls for 5α-reductase mRNA abundance measurement by real-time PCR.

RESULTS:

We detected mRNA encoding 5αR1 and 5αR3 but not 5αR2. There were no significant differences in 5αR1 and 5αR3 mRNA levels between the different anatomical sites, irrespective of gender (P > 0.05). Moreover, the mean mRNA abundance in each anatomical site did not differ between males and females (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the expression of 5α-reductases in canine skin and the expression of 5αR3 in this tissue. These results may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of alopecia X and to determine more appropriate treatments for this disorder.

• Authors: Lucilene Bernardi de Souza, Manon Paradis, Gustavo Zamberlam, Marie-Odile Benoit-Biancamano, Christopher Price
• Journal: Veterinary dermatology (Vet Dermatol) Vol. 26 Issue 5 Pg. 363-6, e80-1 (Oct 2015) ISSN: 1365-3164 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26175016 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 ESVD and ACVD.

Chemical References

• Isoenzymes
• Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase

Topics

• Animals
• Biopsy (veterinary)
• Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase (analysis)
• Dogs (metabolism)
• Female
• Isoenzymes (analysis)
• Male
• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (veterinary)
• Skin (enzymology)