Cholesteryl esterase and cholesteryl ester pools in corpus luteum.

Cholesteryl esterase activity has been demonstrated in the corpus luteum of the rat and the cow. The hydrolytic activity in bovine corpora lutea shows two pH optima, and is distributed throughout the particulate and supernatant fractions of the tissue. The greatest activity is present in the 5000 g pellet. The size of the available endogenous cholesteryl ester pools is also estimated. Some properties of the bovine luteal enzyme are different from those of pancreatic cholesteryl esterase from the same species.