Distribution of Seminal Antigens and Enzymes in the Rabbit Ductus Epididymidis

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Abstract
Rabbit epididymal regions were examined immunologically for seminal antigens and histochemically for acid and alkaline phosphatase and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive material. Seminal antigens were detected by Ouchterlony analyses using antisera against ejaculated rabbit sperm, seminal plasma and testes. At least four seminal antigens originated in testis. One was a glycoprotein which was antigenically altered in ductuli efferentes-caput epididymidis. Two were detectable throughout the epididymis and in ejaculated semen. The fourth was only detected with testis. Four seminal antigens also originated in epididymis. One appeared at mid-caput region 3 and was common to seminal plasma and sperm. Another, which appeared at mid-caput region 4 was bound by sperm and was not detectable in mid-cauda region 8b. The other two were detected at the proximal cauda region 8a and partial resorption of at least one occurred in mid-cauda region 8b. In addition, a strong glycoprotein seminal antigen that did not bind to sperm, was secreted by the ampulla. Six seminal antigens originated from accessory glands beyond the ampulla. Acid phosphatase was localized in the apical half of the epididymal principal cells below the stereocilia. Highest activity was in the corpus and cauda epithelia. Alkaline phosphatase and PAS staining substances were localized in the extreme apical half of the principal cells, mainly in the stereocilia. Highest alkaline phosphatase activity was in the distal caput and corpus epithelia. Luminal PAS staining substances increased progressively from the ductuli efferentes through distal caput, decreased slightly and then peaked in the cauda. Copyright © 1979. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1979 by American Society of Animal Science.

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