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Histochemical distribution of ⁵-3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in hamster trophoblast

Summary. The histochemical distribution of ⁵-3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases was demonstrated in hamster trophoblast between Days 8 and 15 of pregnancy. The ⁵-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the ectoplacental trophoblast of 8-day embryos was demonstrated by use of ⁵-pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone as substrates; between Days 11 and 15, activity was demonstrated in the trophoblastic giant cells of the placenta and in the intra-arterial trophoblast cells when ⁵-pregnenolone was the substrate. Between Days 11 and 15, 17β-hydroxysteroid activity was present in the spongiotrophoblast, labyrinth, placental giant cells and intra-arterial trophoblast cells, as shown by use of testosterone and oestradiol as substrates. Both enzymes were demonstrated in ectopic trophoblast cells, indicating that these activities are autonomous.