[Multiple forms of 3-beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase of the adrenal glands of rats]

Experiments were conducted on Wistar rats. A study was made of the heterogeneity of 3beta-oxysteroiddehydrogenase (3beta-olDH) of the adrenal glands, the intracellular distribution of its multiple forms and the change of their activity in prolonged (for 3 months) keeping of the animals on a diet devoid of vitamin A. Four 3 beta-olDH fractions were revealed by the method of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in the rat adrenal glands. The principal activity of 3 beta-olDH (68%) was revealed in the endoplasmic reticulum, and only 14%--in the mitochondrial-lysosomal fraction. Hypovitamonsis A caused a reduction of the 3 beta-olDH activity of the adrenal glands, chiefly on account of the 3 beta-olDH-2 fraction.