Cholesterol mediated changes in beta-glucuronidase activities of rat theca interstitial cells and granulosa cells

Effects of steroid hormones on beta-glucuronidase activities of granulosa cells and theca interstitial cells were studied in vitro in the presence and absence of cholesterol in minimum essential medium (MEM with Hank's salts). Conspicuous fall in the enzyme activities of both these cells were noticed during first 10 min of incubation in MEM without cholesterol and remained lower throughout the experiment. Addition of cholesterol to incubation medium maintained beta-glucuronidase activities of both the cells as observed in the cells of immature ovary immediately after isolation. 17 beta-estradiol did not affect beta-glucuronidase activities of these cells, while testosterone and progesterone suppressed the enzyme activities of these cells in the presence of cholesterol.