Journal of Andrology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Veeramachaneni, D. N.
Right arrow Articles by Hinton, B. T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Veeramachaneni, D. N.
Right arrow Articles by Hinton, B. T.

Journal of Andrology, Vol 11, Issue 2 140-154, Copyright © 1990 by The American Society of Andrology

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Proteins in luminal fluid of the ram excurrent ducts: changes in composition and evidence for differential endocytosis

D. N. Veeramachaneni, R. P. Amann, J. S. Palmer and B. T. Hinton
Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.

Rete testis fluid (RTF) and luminal fluid collected by micropuncture at selected epididymal sites were analyzed to characterize the spectrum of proteins and to quantify the net gain or loss of total/bulk protein and androgen-binding protein (ABP) between successive regions within the ductus epididymidis. Based on one-dimensional SDS gel electrophoresis, the spectra of proteins in RTF and fluids from the proximal, central, and distal caput through proximal corpus epididymidis differed from each other. Concentrations of sperm, bulk protein, and ABP increased from the rete testis through the central caput epididymidis. Electron microscopic studies following intraluminal microinjections of RTF proteins conjugated to colloidal gold at specific sites in the excurrent ducts revealed that 145 times more protein-gold was endocytosed in the ductuli efferentes than in any of the four regions of the caput epididymidis. Thus, ductuli efferentes were the major extra-testicular site of endocytosis of bulk protein present in RTF; at least a portion of the uptake was specific. On a per sperm basis, the amount of protein present in the central caput epididymidis was less than 15% of that leaving the testis. Although most of the protein present in RTF (greater than or equal to 86 mg/d) must be absorbed in the ductuli efferentes and the initial segment of the epididymis and replaced by newly secreted proteins (greater than or equal to 34 mg/d), there was negligible loss of ABP in these regions. Net loss of ABP occurred primarily in the distal caput and proximal corpus epididymidis. These studies demonstrate that ABP is spared from endocytosis along with the bulk protein in RTF and conserved for functions in epididymal regions far distal to the site of bulk protein loss.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
J.-L. Gatti, X. Druart, P. Syntin, Y. Gúerin, J.-L. Dacheux, and F. Dacheux
Biochemical Characterization of Two Ram Cauda Epididymal Maturation-Dependent Sperm Glycoproteins
Biol Reprod, April 1, 2000; 62(4): 950 - 958.
[Abstract] [Full Text]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
J.-L. Gatti, X. Druart, Y. Guérin, F. Dacheux, and J.-L. Dacheux
A 105- to 94-Kilodalton Protein in the Epididymal Fluids of Domestic Mammals Is Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE); Evidence That Sperm Are the Source of This ACE
Biol Reprod, April 1, 1999; 60(4): 937 - 945.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1990 by The American Society of Andrology.