No abstract

It is generally accepted that the mainte-In both sexes 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase nance of sex differences in the activities of enzymes and total steroid hydroxylases exhibit activities involved in hepatic steroid hormone metabolism is typical for the normal female. In both sexes 20-the result of the modifying action of androgens on hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 16a-hydroa basic female activity pattern inherent to both xylase activities lie between the normal male and sexes. In this respect the enzyme activities behave female values. in the same manner as a typical peripheral sex In both sexes A 4 -3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase organ. and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase exhibit acHowever, for the hepatic enzyme activities, the tivities typical for the normal male. consequences of hypophysectomy do not corre-In both sexes 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase spond to those of gonadectomy as is the case for and cortisone -reductase have developed actithe peripheral sex organs. In contrast to the vities which lie beyond the normal male values, peripheral sex organs, the responsiveness of the outside the range of activities encountered in enzyme activities to exogenous testosterone is lost, animals with intact pituitaries. In the case of 3 -Moreover, the pattern of enzyme activities ob-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, this represents an served after hypophysectomy differs substantially abnormal induction, in the case of cortisone afrom that found after gonadectomy.reductase, an abnormal repression.

No abstract