The presence of 5-3deltabeta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, IIbeta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been demonstrated histochemically in the adrenal gland of the rain quail Coturnix coromendalica, barn owl Tyto alba, brown crake Amaurornis akool and painted partidge Francholinus pictus. All these enzymes occurred in the inter-renal cells. No activity was observed in the chromaffin cells. It is suggested that the inter-renal cells of these four species of birds are capable of synthesizing both corticosteroids and sex steroids.

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The ovary of the domestic pigeon, Columba livia, has been assayed histochemically for the localization of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta 5-3 beta-HSDH), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSDA), 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6P-DH) and NADH-diaphorase activities during different periods of the reproductive cycle. delta 5-3 beta-HSDH, 17 beta-HSDH, 11 beta-HSDH, G6P-DH and NADH-diaphorase activity was found in the theca interna of growing, atretic and postovulatory follicles, the granulosa of ovulatory, atretic and postovulatory follicles, and interstitial gland cells during the pre-incubation and the laying periods. During the incubation and squab feeding periods only delta 5-3 beta-HSDH, G6P-DH and NADH-diaphorase activities were observed in the above mentioned cells. The steroidogenic potential of atretic follicles depends upon the type of atresia a follicle undergoes.