Glycosidases in Mammalian Sperm and Seminal Plasma

Abstract

PREVIOUS investigations of animal glycosidases have shown that certain enzymes of this group occur in a state of particularly high activity in reproductive organs; for example, β-glucuronidase in the preputial glands of the female rat¹, and β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and α-mannosidase in the epididymis of the male rat². Preliminary results indicated high α-mannosidase, and relatively low β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, activity in rat epididymal sperm, whereas the high activity of both enzymes in bull semen was largely confined to the seminal plasma (Conchie, J., and Levvy, G. A., unpublished work). It was the object of the present investigation to extend the study of these enzymes to the sperm, seminal plasma and male accessory secretions of other animals, and also to compare the activity of the three glycosidases mentioned with that of other similar enzymes, namely, β-mannosidase, α- and β-glucosidase, α- and β-galactosidase, β-xylosidase and α-N-acetylglucosaminidase. The substrates used were phenolphthalein glucuronide and the phenol and o- or p-nitrophenol derivatives of other glycosides³. Results are expressed in units, defined as micrograms of aglycone (phenolphthalein, phenol and o- or p-nitrophenol, respectively) liberated under suitable conditions^2,3 by 1 ml. semen or accessory gland secretion in 1 hr. at 37° C. Results for sperm are calculated on the original volume of semen. The species investigated include the ram, bull, boar, stallion, rabbit, dog and man.