Histochemical Study on the Human Ovary with Special Refercnce to the 3β Hydroxy Steroid Dehydrogenase Activity

Abstract

A enzymatic activity of follicle cell and corpora lutea in human ovary were studied by histochemical determination of 3β Hydroxy Dehydrogenase activity.
Oophorectomized materials from 62 cases of mature female with normal menstrual cycle, 13 cases of menopausal and 18 cases of irradiated female were served in this study.
1) The specific activity of 3β Hydroxy Dehydrogenase to Δ₅ 3β Hydroxy group were comfirmed with differences in staining to various substrate.
2) 3β Hydroxy Dehydrogenase activity cannot be observed in granulosa cell and external theca cell of graafian follicle, Primordial nor atretic follicle, but internal theca cell of graafian follicle.
3) Changes in the enzymatic activity were noted with a menstrual cycle. The dehydrogenase activity appeared in satillite follicle in secretory phase was increased progressively in proliferative phase. The activity was reached maximum in mature corpus luteum and was diminished thereafter. Moderate activity, however, was still remained in the basal cell of regressive corpus luteum and atretic corpus.
4) No significant change in the enzymatic activity evaluated by staining was observed with single or combined addition of HCG, PMS and Prolactin to the control substrate.
5) While a slight activities were still observed at 6 to 12 month after menopause, no activity was noted at one year after menopause.
6) Irradiation of Telecobalt 2, 000 R did not affect to the enzymatic activity, when compared to the control.
7) It may be concluded that internal theca cell of graafian follicle and basal cell of corpus luteum may play an inportent roll on steroid metabolism, because of thier high activities of 3β Hydrogy Dehydrogenase through reproductive cycle.