A study of the distribution of acid and alkaline phosphatase in the genital tract of the Zebu bull (Bos indicus)

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Abstract
The histochemical localization of acid and alkaline glycerophosphatase (phosphomonoesterase) has been determined throughout the reproductive tract in the bull. Sections were incubated in a buffer substrate containing sodium β-glycerophosphate at pH 4·5 and pH 9·4. Duplicate sections were incubated for progressive lengths of time ranging from ½ hr. (alkaline phosphatase) to a maximum of 48 hr. (acid phosphatase).Evidence of the presence of both enzymes has been obtained in the tissues which compose the reproductive tract. In the case of acid phosphatase the reaction was predominant in the nuclei of the lining epithelial cells. In addition, a positive cellular reaction was found in the distal portions of the epithelium lining the epididymis, the ampulla of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. The reaction obtained in the testis appeared to vary with the stage of activity of the tubule.In the case of alkaline phosphatase the reaction was predominantly shown by the basement membrane and the capillaries throughout the tissues with a cellular reaction in the distal portions of the cells lining the epididymis, the ampulla of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. In the seminal vesicles the type ‘A’ cells reacted strongly while the periphery of the osmic staining vacuoles of the type ‘B’ cells also gave a positive reaction. The only activity present in the prostate was in the capillary endothelium. The spermatogenic epithelium showed a positive reaction, but no reaction was given by the interstitial cells.