Developmental change and hormonal control of beta-glucosidase activity in rat kidney

beta-Glucosidase activity in rat kidney increased progressively with age, from 4 weeks after birth up to 52 weeks. A marked sexual difference in enzyme activity was found in the adult kidney. The activity in adult males was 1.4--2.1 times higher than in adult females. Castration of males decreased the beta-glucosidase activity to an about normal female level and the decreased activity returned to a normal male level following injeciton of testosterone. Ovariectomy did not affect enzyme activity. Adrenalectomy decreased enzyme activity to about 50% of the normal level in both males and females and the decreased activity returned to a normal level following injection of hydrocortisone.