Comparison of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in three-month-old lambs and kids

1. The comparative activity of hepatic cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system, glucuronyl-transferase, glutathione S-transferase and N-acetyltransferase was studied in three-month-old male and female Lacaune lambs and male Saanen kids. 2. The study of mixed-function oxidase components showed that total cytochrome P-450 ranged from 0.54 in kids to 0.85-0.88 nmol/mg-1 in lambs. Male lambs had higher levels than kids (122-165%) for aminopyrine, benzphetamine, ethylmorphine and erythromycin demethylases or benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase whereas NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was 1.19-fold lower in lambs. 3. Sex-related changes were observed in lambs in case of microsomal benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity which appeared 1.31-fold more potent in male liver. Cytosolic N-acetyltransferase accepting sulfamethazine as substrate was about 8-fold higher in female than in male lambs. 4. The analysis of samples from various liver lobes, indicated the heterogenous distribution of microsomal proteins which is related to higher concentrations of both cytochrome b5, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and p-nitrophenol glucuronyltransferase in left lobes.