A HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITY FOR THE STEROID 3β-ol DEHYDROGENASE AND ISOMERASE SYSTEMS IN HUMAN OVARY AND TESTIS

Abstract

Either the enzyme which oxidizes 3β-ol groups in C-19 and C-21 steroids is properly designated a steroid-3β-hydroxy dehydrogenase or there is a multiplicity of such dehydrogenases. Although DHA is a satisfactory substrate for the human ovary, adrenal, and placenta, it is not generally so for the human testis. Pregnenolone is only at times a moderately satisfactory substrate in the ovary and is not satisfactory for the testis. In the present histochemical study two Δ4,3β-ol steroids have been reported as satisfactory substrates for human endocrine tissues as well as liver and intestine. These new substrates make it possible to demonstrate activity in human testicular tissues and at probable sites of androgen production. If these tenets hold, they indicate that it is more satisfactory to use unphysiologic substrates for the histochemical demonstration of enzymes as this will obviate the interplay of homeostatic mechanisms which must constantly be at work to preserve the cellular equilibrium. Although the data might suggest that the human testis, in contrast to the ovary, is deficient in isomerizing capacity and that this step precedes oxidation of the 3β-ol group, the biochemical data do not support this theory. A more probable explanation is that either DHA, its reaction product 5-androstenedione, or both, inhibit the human testicular enzyme system, while progesterone inhibits that of the corpus luteum; thus a difference between the dehydrogenases of these two human tissues appears to exist.

HISTOCHEMICAL UTILIZATION OF 3α-, 6β-, 11α-, 12α-, 16α-, 16β-, 17α-, 21- AND 24-Hydroxysteroids

“…Nevertheless, using purified preparations of alcohol dehydro¬ genase it has been shown in vitro (Merritt & Tomkins, 1959) that steroids such as testosterone and cortisol are not attacked by this enzyme. Goldberg, Jones & Borkowf (1964) have reported a histochemical colour reaction in human Leydig cells with 3/?,17/?-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene (androstenediol), 3ahydroxy-5a-androstan-17-one and the dipropionate of androstenediol as substrates. While these workers attribute the diformazan deposition in their testicular sections to a reaction of 3/?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase with these steroids, it seems likely that part at least of the formazan deposition they describe arises from 17/?-hydroxy¬ steroid dehydrogenase activity and part from a steroid 5aor 5/?-dehydrogenase.…”

The Human Corpus Luteum of Pregnancy With Reference to the State of the Trophoblastic Tissue

“…Goldberg et al 1964, Ikonen 1965, Taki et al 1967. Goldberg et al 1964, Ikonen 1965, Taki et al 1967.…”

5-3 -Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Activity in the Steroid-Hormone Producing Organs of the Ferret (Mustela Putorius Furo)

“…An even more striking example has been the common failure to detect this reaction in the Leydig cells of the normal primate testis (Goldberg, Jones & Turner, 1963;Maeir, 1965;Deane & Rubin, 1965). However, Goldberg, Jones & Borkowf (1964) have shown that hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the human testis can be demonstrated when sub¬ strates other than dha are employed, notably A4-3)3-hydroxysteroids.…”