Distribution of rhodanese in different parts of the urogenital systems of sheep at pre- and post-natal stages

The enzyme rhodanese (thiosulfate:cyanide sulfurtransferase) is a ubiquitou s enzyme present in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans and plays a central role in cyanide detoxification. The purpose of this investigatio n is to determine and compare rhodanese activity in different parts of urog enital systems of male and female sheep fetuses at 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5 months of age. The highest activity of rhodanese in male fetus was in ki dney cortex, followed by medulla of the kidney. No significant difference w as observed in other organs. In female fetus, the highest activity was in k idney cortex followed by oviduct and medulla of kidney. The enzyme activity of tissues increased with age. There was no significant difference (P > 0. 05) between male and female fetuses in levels of rhodanese activity of diff erent tissues except in urinary bladder at 1.5 and 3 months and in urethra at 4.5 months of age. The results of this study might indicate the involvem ent of rhodanese in cyanide detoxification in tissues which are more expose d to cyanide. On the other hand, rhodanese might perform other functions wh ich are specific in these tissues. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All right s reserved.