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Ontogenesis of Oxidative Reaction of 17β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 11β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Rat Leydig Cells, a Histochemical Study

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Abstract

The enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is required for the synthesis and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase for the regulation of androgens in rat Leydig cells. This histochemical study describes ontogenetic changes in distribution and intensity of these enzymes in Leydig cells from postnatal day (pnd) 1–90. Using NAD or NADP as the cofactor, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (substrate: 5-androstene-3β, 17β-diol) peaks were observed on pnd 16 for fetal Leydig cells and on pnd 19 and 37 for adult Leydig cells. Between pnd 13 and 25 the fetal cells showed a higher intensity for the 17β-enzyme than the adult cells; more fetal Leydig cells were stained with NADP, whereas more adult cells were positive with NAD on pnd 13 and 16. A nearly identical distribution of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (substrate: corticosterone) was observed with NAD or NADP as the cofactor; the reaction was present from pnd 31 onwards, first in a few adult Leydig cells and later in almost all these cells homogeneously. The ontogenetic curves of the two enzymes show an inverse relationship. To conclude: (1) Generally, a stronger reaction for 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is shown with NAD as cofactor than with NADP; using NADP, fetal Leydig cells show a stronger staining than adult Leydig cells. (2) The data possibly support the notion of a new isoform of 11β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in addition to types 1 and 2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy II, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, PF 101007, D-40001, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Barbara A. Schäfers & Britta G. Schlutius

  2. Institute of Anatomy II, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, PF 101007, D-40001, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Syed G. Haider

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  1. Barbara A. Schäfers
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  2. Britta G. Schlutius
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  3. Syed G. Haider
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Schäfers, B.A., Schlutius, B.G. & Haider, S.G. Ontogenesis of Oxidative Reaction of 17β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 11β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Rat Leydig Cells, a Histochemical Study. Histochem J 33, 585–595 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014916228065

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