Role of the pituitary and sex hormones in the synthesis of cholinesterases

Following DFP poisoning pseudo-cholinesterase levels in plasma and liver returned to normal in about 3 weeks in ovariectomized, estrogen-treated, hypophysectomized, and control groups of female mice.True cholinesterase levels of the brain returned to baseline values in about 3 weeks in control, ovariectomized and estrogen-treated animals. Lower baseline values and also a significant delay in regeneration was found in the hypophysectomized animals.True cholinesterase levels of muscle 3 weeks after DFP treatment were higher than the baseline values in all but the hypophysectomized mice. This “overshoot” of enzyme production was significant at the 5% level.It appears that some endocrine influence may affect the true cholinesterase synthesis in nervous and striated muscle tissue, but it probably does not affect pseudo-cholinesterase production.