Distribution of glutathione S-transferases in the human ovary: an immunohistochemical study.

The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of isoenzymes with several functions. These include the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous toxic compounds, an isomerase activity in steroidogenesis and intracellular transport. This study has used immunohistochemistry to demonstrate the distribution of the three classes of GST (alpha, mu and pi) in the human ovary at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Alpha-GST was found in cells related to steroid hormone production and probably acts as a delta4-5 isomerase. Mu-GST was predominantly found in the non-luteinized stromal cells and its function is obscure. Pi-GST was found in surface 'epithelial' inclusions and the media of arteries where it is thought to play a detoxifying role.