Sexual differences in galactose metabolism: galactosyl ceramide galactosidase and other galactosidases in mouse kidney.

Male and female mice were compared at two ages, 15 and 50 days, with respect to the activities of three galactosidases in kidney. No sex difference in enzyme activity was seen in the young mice, but appreciable differences were found in the older animals. The male kidneys had about one-third higher specific activities of cerebroside beta-galactosidase and nitrophenyl beta-galactosidase, but there was no difference with nitrophenyl alpha-galactosidase. A listing and discussion of other galactose-metabolizing enzymes influenced by sex differences is presented.