Histochemistry of cystic ovaries found during an abattoir survey

Histochemical methods have been used to measure delta5-3beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) activity in order to establish sites and degree of steroid hormone synthesis in cystic ovaries, corpora lutea and uteri. When granulosa cell layers were present they showed enzymic activity indicating their ability to produce steroids. When both were absent no activity could be seen. Corpora lutea either from ovaries associated with an ovarian cyst or from normally cyclic cows showed varying degrees of activity. When the corpuluteum was immature, activity was low, when mature it was very high and when regressing the activity was declining. No activity was seen in uteri.