Abstract
The histochemistry of lipids, NADH and NADPH dehydrogenases, Δ5-3β-, 3α-, 11β, 17β-, 20α-and 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSD) has been studied in the goat corpus luteum during late pregnancy. The activity of lipids was moderate with Sudan black B and weak with oil red O. The activities of NADH and NADPH dehydrogenases were very strong. The 3β-HSD activity, when pregnenolone was used as substrate, was moderate. When dehydroepiandrosterone was used, the activity was strong. The 3α-HSD activity was observed to be weak. The enzymes 11β-, 17β-, 20α-and 20β-HSD were not detectable in the corpus luteum. These results suggest that the goat corpus luteum can synthesize progesterone during late pregnancy. The present histochemical findings seem to be correlated with the importance of the corpus luteum for the maintenance of pregnancy in the goat.
