Hormonal activity of testes in aged rats with leydig cell hyperplasia: histochemical investigation of some hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.

Abstract

The following enzymes were employed in order to investigate the hormonal activity of the testes in aged rats: 3-beta hydroxysteroid-DH, 11-beta-hydroxysteroid-DH, and 17-beta-hydroxysteroid-DH. Our investigations show that in the non-altered testis of the aged rat the same enzyme activities can be observed as in young and sexually mature animals. A proliferation of the Leydig cells (L.c.), occurring in the aging rat, brings about an increased activity of the above-mentioned steroid-DHs. An augmented production of testosterone is quite probable.

• Authors: H Lehmann, L Lützen, H Deutsch
• Journal: Beitrage zur Pathologie (Beitr Pathol) Vol. 156 Issue 2 Pg. 109-16 (Nov 1975) ISSN: 0005-8165 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 1212163 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Androgens
• Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases

Topics

• Aging
• Androgens (biosynthesis)
• Animals
• Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases (metabolism)
• Hyperplasia
• Leydig Cells (enzymology, pathology)
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Spermatozoa (enzymology)
• Testis (enzymology)