Testosterone-Responsive Mouse Kidney Glycosphingolipids: Developmental and Inbred Strain Effects*

Mouse kidney and urinary glycosphingolipids from developing C57BL/6J and adults of several other inbred strains were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatographic techniques. Glycosphingolipids from male and female C57BL/6J kidneys were similar until the fifth week of age. Galactosylceramide containing nonhydroxy fatty acids and galabiglycosylceramide containing nonhydroxy fatty acids first appeared in male kidneys, followed by an increase in galabiglycosylceramide containing hydroxy fatty acids. Galabiglycosylceramide was observed in male urine from the earliest collection period (26 days of age). At 5 weeks, globotriglycosylceramides were present in male urine, and by 6 weeks, they became the major glycolipid species. Analysis of the glycosphingolipids from adult male and female DBA/2J, CBA/J, C3H/HeJ, and AKR/J kidneys revealed that galactosylceramides and galabiglycosylceramides which contain nonhydroxy fatty acids were absent in all females and present in all males. The globotriglycosylceramides were elevated in male kidneys of all strains. Galabiglycosylceramides and globotriglycosylceramides were present in male urine of all strains. Each strain exhibited a characteristic pattern of urinary glycosphingolipids which varied not only in the different levels of di- and triglycosylceramides but also in the ratio of components that are distinguished by their fatty acid and long chain base composition. These data provide evidence that in several inbred strains of mice, testosterone induces the production of specific di- and triglycosylceramides, which are components of lysosomal organelles that are normally excreted in the urine.