Steroid Sulfatase Activity of the Hamster Reproductive Tract During the Estrous Cycle

Abstract

Sterol sulfate sulfohydrolase activity was measured in the reproductive tract of the hamster during the estrous cycle. Around the time of ovulation, the activity of the enzyme begins to rise and reaches a maximum during early metestrus; it decreases in the ovary and oviduct during diestrus whereas in the endometrium the activity is sustained for 30 h. The specific activity of the enzyme is higher in the oviduct than in the endometrium. The enzyme is also present in oviductal fluid. Stimulation with PMSG and hCG increases the activity in the ovary and oviduct, but not in the endometrium. The possible involvement in sperm capacitation of sterol sulfatase, present in the female reproductive tract, should be considered.