[Changes in the activity of 3beta-OH-steroid dehydrogenase in the adrenals of rat fetuses following decapitation in utero].

The activity of 3beta-OH-steroid dehydrogenase in the adrenal cortex of 21-day fetuses in control and 3 days after decapitation in utero was estimated quantitatively by microspectrophotometry. The enzyme activity calculated as per conditioned cell in the fascicular zone exceeded that in the forming glomerular zone. After hypophysectomy the activity of the 3beta-OH-steroid dehydrogenase decreased in both the fascicular and glomerular zones.