Phospholipases A2 in the reproductive system of the bull.

1. Phospholipase A2 activities were studied in the reproductive organs, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of adult bulls. 2.

Incorporation of selenium-75 into seminal plasma and spermatozoa of the bull.

75Se was given intravenously into 5 bulls. Multiple blood and semen samples were taken and during slaughter 5, 10, 15, 20 and 80 days later samples of various reproductive and other organs were collected. After injection, 75Se in blood reached a peak at 6 h followed by a rapid decline.

Hydrolases from bovine seminal vesicle, prostate and Cowper's gland.

The bovine seminal plasma is formed mainly by secretions of epididymis and the glandular epithelia in ampulla, seminal vesicles, prostate and Cowper's glands. The contribution of each organ to the hydrolytic enzyme activities (glycosidases, exopeptidases, phospholipases) of the bull seminal plasma has been analyzed and is reviewed in this paper with special emphasis on the role of the accessory glands. Seminal vesicles seem to have a major role in the secretion of seminal plasma acid alpha-glucosidase, acid alpha-mannosidase and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, aminopeptidase A, dipeptidyl peptidase II and IV and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as well as Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent phospholipases A2 with distinct substrate specificities, a choline-specific phospholipase C and a Co2+ (Mn2+)-activated sphingomyelinase.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in rat epididymis: effects of castration, hemicastration and efferent duct ligation.

Gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) was studied histochemically and biochemically in the rat epididymis after castration with or without testosterone treatment, or after hemicastration and ligation of the efferent ducts. There was a strong reaction to gamma-GT in the apical part of the epithelium in the caput epididymis, while in the corpus and cauda the reaction was confined mainly to the luminal contents. Castration caused a marked decline in epithelial gamma-GT activity within 10 days.

Distribution of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the mouse epididymis and its response to acivicin.

gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT), its substrate (GSH) and hydrolytic product (L-glutamic acid) were measured biochemically in mouse reproductive tissues. The epididymal caput and seminal vesicles showed the highest specific activities of gamma-GT, while GSH and L-glutamic acid were widely distributed in all tissues. Histochemically, gamma-GT displayed a strong apical and supranuclear reaction and a moderate basal activity in the ductuli efferents, a weak luminal reaction in the first, a moderate apical reaction in the second and a strong apical and supranuclear reaction in the third segment of the epididymal caput.