Glycerylphosphorylcholine, Sialic Acid and Protein in Epithelial Cells Isolated from the Rat Caput Epididymidis by Elutriation

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Abstract
Fractions containing principal cells (72%), basal cells (88%) and fibroblasts (75%) were isolated from enzymatically dispersed rat caput epididymidis by centrifugal elutriation. Viability of cells in all fractions was > 89%. Biochemical analyses of separated cells for suspected epididymal secretory products revealed that total cellular contents of glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC), sialic acid and protein were significantly greater in principal cells than in basal cells or fibroblasts. When data were expressed as .mu.mol/g cellular protein, sialic acid levels were similar among cell types, while principal cells contained 2 times more GPC than did other cell types. The cellular concentration (.mu.mol/cm3 cellular volume) of GC was significantly greater in basal and principal cells than in fibroblasts, while the protein concentration in basal cells was greater than in other somatic cell types. Epididymal secretions of GPC, sialic acid and protein apparently are derived primarily from principal cells.