title: Onset of puberty and ovarian steroidogenesis following administration of ochratoxin A.
abstract: The present experimental design was set up to examine the effect of Ochratoxin A on the onset of reproductive maturity and the ovarian steroidogenic capacity by means of histochemical studies. Ochratoxin A treatment causes a remarkable delay in sexual maturation as evidenced by the age at vaginal opening and appearance of first estrus (cornifid smear). The same treatment also results in a significant diminution of the delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity along with a reduction in the weight of ovary, uterus, and pituitary. On the basis of above data it is assumed that the probable cause of delayed maturation in Ochratoxin A treated rat is due to the suppressed ovarian steroidogenesis.
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase