Comparative analysis of human steroid sulfatase activity in prepubertal and postpubertal males and females

This study analyzes the role of pre or postpubertal stage and sex on the steroid sulfatase activity of human leukocytes. The prepubertal female group (2-7 yrs) presented a higher sulfatase activity than the prepubertal male group (2-7 yrs, 1.99 +/- 0.64 vs 0.99 +/- 0.31 pmol/mg protein, respectively) (p < 0.001), with a female/male ratio of 2.01. The postpubertal subjects (15-40 yrs) showed an activity of 0.77 +/- 0.19 (females) vs 0.56 +2- 0.11 pmol/mg protein (males) and a female/male ratio of 1.37. Enzymatic activity of prepubertal subjects paired by sex was higher than the postpubertal individuals (females p < 0.001 and males p < 0.005). These findings show differences in the steroid sulfatase activity of pre and postpubertal groups suggesting the possible influence of hormones secreted since puberty on the expression of this enzyme.