Hormonal activity of testes in aged rats with leydig cell hyperplasia: histochemical investigation of some hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.
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.
D000375:Aging; D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology*
D000728:Androgens; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases