HISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF FOUR DEHYDROGENASE SYSTEMS IN HUMAN OVARY DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Abstract

The histochemical localization of four dehydrogenase systems (diphosphopyridine nucleotide diaphorase, lactic, succinic and steroid-3β-ol-dehydrogenase) has been studied in human ovary during the menstrual cycle. The phase of the cycle was determined using endometrial biopsy and vaginal smear examination and by estimations of the urinary excretion of pregnanediol-complex. All the dehydrogenases were found to exhibit equal distribution; the most active structures were the theca interna cells of the developing follicles and both thecal and granulosa lutein cells of the corpora lutea. Atretic follicles as well as corpora albicans consistently showed moderate dehydrogenase activity. Formazan deposit was always developed in the interstitial cells of the stroma. No changes were detected in the enzyme activity during the follicular and progestational phases of the cycle.