Abstract
Sterol sulfatase activity was probed with tritiated cholesteryl sulfate in the reproductive tract of seven non-pregnant Suffolk ewes. The enzyme activity was expressed in endometrial, ovarian and oviducal tissue homogenates. The highest specific activities were found in oviducal fluids recovered by flushing the excised oviducts with buffer. Sterol sulfatase was also highly active in oviducal fluids collected during oestrus in conscious ewes through surgically inserted catheters. While part of the enzymatic activity in oviducal fluids was present in a soluble form, most was associated with secretory granules as evidenced by electron microscopy. In view of the fact that oviducal fluid is the medium in which the mammalian egg is normally fertilized, these findings support the hypothesis that sterol sulfatase plays a role in the process of sperm capacitation in the ewe.
Published Version
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