Observations on the metabolism of adrenal and gonadal steroids in Xenopus laevis and Bufo bufo

Abstract

Histochemical determinations of steroid-3β-ol-dehydrogenase in the adrenals and gonads of two species of Anurans Xenopus laevis and Bufo bufo were carried out after stimulation with ACTH, FSH + LH and FSH. A constant enzyme activity was noted in the adrenals of both species after various stimulations. The strongest effect was noted in the adrenals of Xenopus after ACTH stimulation. The interstitial tissue of the Xenopus testis showed a moderate enzyme activity after FSH and LH stimulation. No activity was noticed in the ovaries of either species or in the testes of Bufo after the stimulations used. The 17-ketogenic hormones were determined after the same hormone treatments from the excretions of animals, using the method of Norymberski. In a part of the experiments, the hormones were fractionated by thin layer chromatography. The total amount of steroid metabolites did not differ significantly after the different stimulations, and fractionating to the 11-oxy- and 11-deoxy components also gave quite similar results in all the experimental groups. The androgenic metabolism of anurans is discussed and compared with that of higher vertebrates.