The fine structural localization of some testicular phosphatases

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Abstract
The distribution of several nonspecific and nucleoside phosphatase activities in rat testis fixed in glutaraldehyde was studied with the electron microscope. Seven apparently discrete distributions of activity were found. Nonspecific phosphatase activity at neutral pH was found in the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules, as well as in pinocytic vesicles in connective tissue cells underlying the tubules. Acid phosphatase activity was associated with the dense bodies of Sertoli cells, and with the Golgi apparatus of all spermatogenic cells. In addition, the Golgi apparatus of spermatogenic cells exhibited activity to both nucleoside di‐ and tri‐phosphates. The Golgi apparatus of the Sertoli cells exhibited both di‐ and triphosphatase activity, but no glycerophosphatase activity.Triphosphatase activity was also found at the cell surfaces of spermatogenic cells in some stages of development. Spermatogonia and early spermatocytes exhibited activity to both ATP and ITP. Little triphosphatase activity was found at the cell surfaces of secondary spermatocytes or early spermatids, while pronounced activity was seen at the surfaces of late spermatids.