LYSOSOMAL-ENZYME ACTIVITY IN RAT ADRENAL-GLAND RELATED TO THE POSTNATAL-DEVELOPMENT

The activity of five acid hydrolases in the adrenal gland at the perin atal stage in adult rats was measured here and changes in alpha-mannos idase and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity were detected. Thes e enzymes increase after birth reaching a peak between days 4 and 7. O ther enzymes such as beta-glucuronidase, arylsulfatase and beta-glucos idase did not significantly change at the ages studied. These data sug gest that the enzymatic activity and development of the adrenal gland may be correlated during the first week after birth; this is critical since most of the changes occur in this organ.