Sex differences in constitutive mRNA levels of CYP2B22, CYP2C33, CYP2C49, CYP3A22, CYP3A29 and CYP3A46 in the pig liver: Comparison between Meishan and Landrace pigs

Breed and sex differences in hepatic mRNA levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms (CYP2B22, CYP2C33, CYP2C49, CYP3A22, CYP3A29 and CYP3A46) were examined in 5-month-old Meishan, Landrace, and their crossbred F1 (LM and ML) pigs. Serum testosterone levels in male Meishan, LM, and ML pigs were 2.5–3.5-fold higher than in Landrace pigs. CYP3A46 mRNA was breed-specifically detected only in Landrace, LM, and ML pigs. In Meishan, LM, and ML pigs only, male-predominant expressions of CYP2B22, CYP2C33, CYP2C49 and CYP3A29 mRNAs were observed; CYP3A22 mRNA expression showed the opposite pattern. Male-dominant mRNA expression was also observed in LM and ML pigs for CYP3A46. The sex differences in CYP mRNA levels in Meishan pigs disappeared when males were castrated and were restored by testosterone propionate (TP) administration to the castrated males. In Landrace pigs, TP administration to castrated males and intact females significantly increased the levels of CYP2B22, CYP2C33, and CYP3A46 mRNAs. Immature (1-month-old) pigs showed no breed or sex differences in CYP mRNA expressions. The results demonstrated that androgen is an important determinant of sex-associated expression of several CYPs and suggested that breed differences in sex-associated expression could be caused by differences in serum androgen level and by other genetic traits.