Leathem J H, Murono E P
Fertil Steril. 1975 Oct;26(10):996-1000.
Ovaries of rats 1, 2, 4, and 18 months old revealed significant delta-5-3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-OHSD) activity when dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), pregnenolone, and 16-dehydropregnenolone served as substrates. No enzyme activity was evident in ovaries 4 and 18 months of age when the substrates 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, pregnenolone sulfate, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were used. A marked increase in enzyme activity occurred in the granulosae of mature vesicular follicles at 18 months of age. DHA, pregnenolone, and 16-dehydropregnenolone provided similar activities. On the other hand, interstitial enzyme activity exhibited an aging decline with DHA and 16-dehydropregnenolone but increased with pregnenolone. Corpora lutea were less evident in aging ovaries but did exhibit strong 3beta-OHSD activity when DHA was used. Pregnenolone use by corpora lutea was sharply increased in aging rats but no change occurred with 16-dehydropregnenolone. Thus aging was associated with changes in 3beta-OHSD distribution and use of steroid substrate; a change in function is suggested.
1、2、4和18月龄大鼠的卵巢在以脱氢表雄酮（DHA）、孕烯醇酮和16-脱氢孕烯醇酮为底物时，显示出显著的δ-5-3-β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶（3β-OHSD）活性。当使用17α-羟基孕烯醇酮、硫酸孕烯醇酮和硫酸脱氢表雄酮作为底物时，4和18月龄大鼠的卵巢中未观察到明显的酶活性。18月龄成熟囊状卵泡的颗粒细胞中酶活性显著增加。DHA、孕烯醇酮和16-脱氢孕烯醇酮表现出相似的活性。另一方面，间质酶活性在以DHA和16-脱氢孕烯醇酮为底物时随年龄增长而下降，但以孕烯醇酮为底物时则增加。衰老卵巢中的黄体不太明显，但当使用DHA时，黄体确实表现出较强的3β-OHSD活性。衰老大鼠黄体对孕烯醇酮的利用急剧增加，但对16-脱氢孕烯醇酮的利用没有变化。因此，衰老与3β-OHSD分布和类固醇底物利用的变化有关；提示存在功能改变。
