Histochemical study of ovarian hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity during normal pseudopregnancy in the rat

Abstract

ABSTRACT3P-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity was localized in ovaries removed from rats during normal pseudopregnancy. Ovarian sections were incubated in media containing either pregnenolone (P-one) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA). P-one-3P-HSD activity appeared strongest on day 6 whereas DHA-3P-HSD was highest on day 13. NADH, diaphorase activity was localized and observed to be greater than 3P-HSD.Both P-one-and DHA-3P-HSD activities were localized in primary-, secondary-and tertiary follicles; granulosa and theca interna cells have a variable potential for steroidogenesis. Mature tertiary follicles appear most responsive of the follicular population in steroidogenic potential. In atretic follicles, theca interna cells showed a marked ability for potential steroid production and may be one of the more stable sites of steroidogenesis. Interstitial tissue is a major site for potential estrogenic and progestational biosynthesis during the functional life of the ovary. Luteal cells exhibited strong ability for DHA-3P-HSD activity during the ongoing process of pseudopregnancy while P-one-3P-HSD activity declined in these cells as pseudopregnancy progressed. In summary, a t the onset of pseudopregnancy, it appears that ovarian P-one-3P-HSD activity is greater than DHA-3P-HSD activity. Near the termination of this condition, DHA-3P-HSD activity is greater than P-one-3P-HSD activity in the rat.

Variations in the epithelial cords of the ovaries of a microchiropteran bat, Hipposideros speoris (Schneider) during reproductive cycle: An enzymic approach

“…Lipids are the precursors for steroid biosynthesis and its accumulation in the tissues suggests hormone storage and the amount decreases when hormone gets released (Guraya, 1985). Similarly, the enzyme 3β-HSDH is associated with the microsomes derived from extensively developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, whose function in the cell is conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone (Kovarik and Velardo, 1979). Thus, highly sudanophilic and 3β-HSDH positive cords suggest their role in steroid biosynthesis as earlier discussed (Baker, 1951;Guraya and Greenwald 1964a;Guraya, 1985Guraya, , 2000.…”

Ultrastructural features of ovarian interstitial tissue in a wild mouse, Apodemus flavicollis, at various reproductive stages, with a note on its histochemistry at the onset of the breeding period

“…Strong G-6-PD and 3P-HSD activity has been correlated with raised concentrations of gonadotrophins (Barbanti Silva et al 1966). 3P-HSD activity is strong in the interstitial tissue of the rat on days 5-6 of pregnancy (Motta and Bourneva 1970), and on day 13 or in pseudopregnancy (Kovarik and Velardo 1979). Weak activity of G-6-PD characterizes the interstitial tissue of the cycling hamster (Saidapur and Greenwald 1978).…”