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Seasonal Changes in the Activity of 11β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in Toad Testes

Abstract: In mammals, glucocorticoids (GC) are inactivated by the oxidative activity of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β‐HSD). To study that mechanism in the testes of Bufo arenarum, 11β‐HSD activity and plasma corticosterone (B) were determined in toads from pre‐ (PR), post‐ (P), and reproductive (R) periods. Toad 11β‐HSD is NAD+‐dependent and strongly inhibited by glycyrrhetinic acid. Vmax is higher in the P period (1.37 vs. R: 0.13 and PR: 0.26 pmol/min‐mg protein), whereas Km values (around 200 nM) remain constant. Plasma B concentrations (R: 178; PR: 61; P: 114 nM) are close to Km values, suggesting that, under baseline conditions, 11β‐HSD could protect testes against GC action.