Endocrine Abstracts

The enzymatic inactivation of cortisol is catalysed by isoforms of 11βHSD. 11βHSD1 is a bi-directional, NADP(H)-dependent enzyme whereas11βHSD2 is an NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase that inactivates cortisol. In the male rat, 11βHSD1 is highly expressed in the testis, epididymis, vas deferens and vesicular glands. Although 11βHSD activities have recently been reported in boar testicular tissue, cortisol metabolism in the boar reproductive tract...

In human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells, cortisol (F) is inter-converted with cortisone (E) by 11BHSD. To date two isoforms of 11BHSD have been cloned. Human granulosa cells have been shown to express 11BHSD2 mRNA during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, switching to 11BHSD1 mRNA expression as luteinization occurs. However, it is not known whether (1) the protein expression, and (2) the 11BHSD enzyme activities reflect this pattern of mRNA expression. Hence, the aims of...