title: Biologic effects following active immunization with delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.
abstract: Immunization of female rats with crude preparations of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase combined with complete Freund's adjuvant resulted in suppression of the endogenous enzyme activity in the ovarian interstitial tissue and the corpora lutea. As a result, estrous cyclicity, nidation, or maintenance of pregnancy was adversely affected in proportion to the level of the antibody to the enzyme following the series of immunizations. On the basis of the biologic response, it can be assumed that progesterone synthesis was reduced as a result of neutralization of enzyme action in the ovary by the formation of antibodies to the delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Further studies are required to verify this assumption.
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases