Immunolocalization of aromatase, 17 -hydroxylase and side-chain-cleavage cytochromes P-450 in the human ovary

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Abstract
Summary. Immunohistochemical localization of cholesterol side-chain-cleavage, 17α-hydroxylase and aromatase cytochromes P-450 was performed in 35 morphologically normal human premenopausal ovaries by using specific antibodies against the enzymes. In well-developed ovarian follicles in the late stages of follicular growth, immunoreactivity of P-450AROM was only seen in granulosa cells while P-45017α and P-450scc activity was confined to theca interna cells, confirming that follicular oestrogen is produced in granulosa cells by the aromatization of androgens derived from the theca interna cells. In the corpus luteum, this functional differentiation is maintained, since immunoreactivity of P-450AROM was exclusively present in luteinized granulosa cells while that of P-45017α was present in luteinized theca cells. Immunoreactivity of P-450scc was present in both types of cells in the corpus luteum. Keywords: immunohistochemistry; human ovary; aromatase; 17α-hydroxylase; side-chain-cleavage enzyme

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