Synopsis
The presence of5-3Δβ-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, IIβ-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been demonstrated histochemically in the adrenal gland of the rain quailCoturnix coromendalica, barn owlTyto alba, brown crakeAmaurornis akool and painted partidgeFrancholinus 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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Bhujle, B.V., Nadkarni, V.B. Steroid dehydrogenases in the adrenal gland of four species of birds: a histochemical study. Histochem J 8, 591–596 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01003960
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01003960