To investigate the hormonal control of the expression of flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO; EC 1.14.13.8) under defined in vitro conditions, adult male rat hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion and co-cultured with rat liver epithelial cells of primitive biliary origin. The direct effect of 17beta-estradiol, testosterone, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT) and human growth hormone (hGH) on FMO activity was studied using this in vitro model. Optimal, non-cytotoxic hormonal concentrations were determined by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) index. In addition, the microsomal protein content of the cultured hepatocytes was determined as a function of culture time. The female sex hormone 17beta-estradiol caused a significant decrease in FMO as a function of culture time. After 14 days of exposure, FMO activity decreased by 56%. Neither of the male sex hormones or human growth hormone had an effect on FMO activity. These results in co-cultured male rat hepatocytes support in vivo observation that 17beta-estradiol is a potent hormone involved in the negative regulation of the expression of FMO in male rat liver.