Glutathione, L‐glutamic acid and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase in the bull reproductive tissues

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Abstract
The distribution of glutathione (GSH), L-glutamic acid (Glu) and .gamma.-glutamyl transpeptidase (.gamma.-GT) was studied in bull reproductive organs and fluids. Glutathione, the physiological substrate of .gamma.-GT, was localized specifically by a fluorescence method in the testis, epididymis and spermatozoa. Of the reproductive tissues, the testis, caput epididymis and ampulla had the highest levels of GSH, but it was also present in seminal fluid. Washed caput epididymal sperm had three times the GSH content of cauda epididymal or ejaculated sperm. In spermatozoa, GSH displayed maximal staining in the midpiece and tail regions. The highest levels of .gamma.-GT were encountered in the epididymis. The concentration of Glu was also high in the epididymis. Its formation may be due to the hydrolytic activity of .gamma.-GT, which, in addition, may have an important role in the transfer of Glu residues to reactive groups on the sperm surface.