Age and hormone dependent activity of Delta5, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in isolated Leydig cells from mouse testes.

Mouse males aged 2, 4 weeks, and 2 months were given PMS and HCG hormones, and testosterone in intramuscular injections. Leydig cells obtained from treated animals were histochemically investigated for the activity of delta 5, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase). PMS caused no statistically significant changes in the activity of delta 5, 3 beta-OH-SDH in any of the investigated age groups of mice. However, in all tested groups treated with HCG the amount of cells having very strong enzyme activity increased. Testosterone injected into mice induced decrease of delta 5, 3 beta-OH-SDH activity. Both under the influence of HCG and testosterone differences between control group and experimental ones were statistically significant.