The effects of vitamin E deficiency on some enzymes of steroid hormone biosynthesis
Barnes, M.M.; Smith, A.J.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 45(4): 396-403
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 1213866 Document Number: 95193
Weanling albino rats had for 78 to 350 days diets with or without addition of sufficient alpha -tocopheryl acetate to provide an intake of 1 mg/day. No change was observed in activity in vitro of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme from adrenal or testis tissue. There was a significant reduction in 3 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in ovarian tissue of vitamin E-deficient female rats after 141 days and in testes and adrenal glands of deficient male rats after 280 days. Values for 3 beta -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in testes were, though not significantly, reduced after 91 days. Activity of 11 beta -hydroxylase in adrenal tissue was unchanged. It was concluded that the effectiveness of the mixed oxidase system for electron transfer in adrenal steroidogenesis was unimpaired in vitamin E-deficient rats.