β-Glucosidase activity in rat kidney increased progressively with age, from 4 weeks
after birth up to 52 weeks. A marked sexual difference in enzyme activity was found in the adult
kidney. The activity in adult males was 1.4—2.1 times higher than in adult females. Castration of
males decreased the β-glucosidase activity to an about normal female level and the decreased
activity returned to a normal male level following injection of testosterone. Ovariectomy did not
affect enzyme activity. Adrenalectomy decreased enzyme activity to about 50% of the normal
level in both males and females and the decreased activity returned to a normal level following
injection of hydrocortisone.