Steroid β-D-glucosidase in steer liver and kidney

Homogenates of liver and kidney tissue from young steers had β-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) activity toward 17α-estradiol-3-glucoside, 17β-estradiol-3-glucoside, 17α-estradiol-17-glucoside, and deoxycorticosterone-21-glucoside. The activity towards the phenolic 3-glucosides was largely present in the 100 000 × g supernatant, while that towards 17α-estradiol-17-glucoside was concentrated in the microsomes. The use of beef liver preparations for the hydrolysis of steroid 'glucuronide' fractions could result in hydrolysis of other steroid glycosides which might be present.