Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P56851 (epididymal)
 11,273 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Age-related changes in the clear cells and responses of the clear cells after ligation at the efferent duct or the junction between the epididymal head and tail were examined by light and electron microscopy with special reference to the regional differences in the epididymal duct in mice. In adult mice, the epididymal duct is divided into five segments (I-V) and the lumen distal to Segment II contains PAS-positive material in addition to spermatozoa. The clear cells had vacuoles and PAS-positive granules containing acid phosphatase. Electron microscopy suggested that the clear cells ingest the luminal material and condense it into the PAS-positive granules in the basal cytoplasm. The clear cells first appeared at 20 days of age following appearance of the PAS-positive material in the lumen. After 40 days, the clear cells became frequent and well-developed containing much PAS-positive granules in the distal Segment IV and Segment V, which were filled with abundant spermatozoa and PAS-positive material. After ligation at the efferent duct, the duct distal to Segment II was filled with PAS-positive material but no spermatozoa, and the clear cells in the proximal Segment V became to contain more abundant and large PAS-positive granules. After ligation at the junction of the epididymal head and body, the luminal PAS-positive material was scarecely seen in Segment IV but densely in Segment V and the clear cells were more developed in the distal Segment IV. The findings suggest that the clear cells are especially developed to absorb the luminal PAS-positive material in the distal region of the epididymal duct and may absorb different PAS-positive material in different segments.
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PMID:[Regional differences of the clear cells in the mouse epididymal duct: a histological study]. 243 45

The deferent duct in adult mice was observed by light microscopy, mainly in methacrylate sections stained with PAS, hematoxylin and fast green. A region of the deferent duct just following the epididymal duct is lined with the principal cells with stereocilia and epithelial cells containing strongly PAS-positive granules. The PAS-positive epithelial cells have no stereocilia and show PAS reaction in the tytoplasm just under the luminal surface. The PAS-positive granules are usually less than 1 micron in diameter, often seen in 1 to 2 micron wide vacuoles, and distributed densely in the supranuclear or infranuclear cytoplasm, or occasionally in the whole cytoplasm. The granules or contents of the vacuoles reveal to have acid phosphatase. These cells occupy 5 to 10% of the epithelial cells lining the deferent duct at the region of the junction with the epididymal tail. The PAS-positive epithelial cells of the deferent duct, as well as the clear cells of the epididymal duct, may function in relation to the PAS-positive material in the lumen of the duct.
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PMID:[PAS-positive epithelial cells in the deferent duct in mice: light microscopic observations]. 243 46

A cell culture system is characterized for monolayers of immature rat epididymal epithelial cells grown on permeable supports. Cover of the filters was achieved by days 4-5 and was maintained for 9-12 days. The secretion of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) into apical and basal compartments of culture chambers was monitored with time in culture for cells from the proximal and distal epididymis of 37-day-old animals. There was independent secretion of the three enzymes: secretion of NAG and AKP was mainly apical, that of ACP basal; daily secretion of ACP and AKP was constant throughout culture, that of NAG declined; there was greater secretion of NAG and AKP by cells from the proximal than the distal region. The initial high apical secretion of NAG is thought to reflect loss of enzyme from unattached cells, whereas the later AKP secretion is truly directional. Secretion was not influenced by the enzymes used in cell preparation. The cytotoxic agent Thimerosal inhibited secretion of all enzymes when placed beneath the cultures, indicating that secretion depended on viable cells, but initially stimulated release of AKP when applied above the cells possibly reflecting release from the cell membrane.
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PMID:Immature rat epididymal epithelial cells grown in static primary monolayer culture on permeable supports. I. Vectorial secretion. 247 94

Gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) was studied histochemically and biochemically in the rat epididymis after castration with or without testosterone treatment, or after hemicastration and ligation of the efferent ducts. There was a strong reaction to gamma-GT in the apical part of the epithelium in the caput epididymis, while in the corpus and cauda the reaction was confined mainly to the luminal contents. Castration caused a marked decline in epithelial gamma-GT activity within 10 days. Subsequent testosterone treatment (1 mg/day for 10 days) restored gamma-GT activity in the apical surface and lumen. After hemicastration of adult rats, and after hemicastration or ligation of the efferent ducts in immature 28-day-old rats, a small but significant (P less than 0.001) decrease was observed in gamma-GT activity in the epididymal caput compared to controls. The quantities of six other enzymes (beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, alanyl amino-peptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, acid phosphatase) also displayed significant changes after castration and restoration of activities by testosterone treatment. However, their distribution in the caput and cauda epididymis was more even than that of gamma-GT, and the changes after castration were less drastic. It is concluded that gamma-GT is a highly sensitive androgen-dependent secretory marker in the caput epididymis and may have an important function in sperm maturation.
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PMID:Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in rat epididymis: effects of castration, hemicastration and efferent duct ligation. 257 65

Absorption of seminal plasma and spermiophagy in the fowl epididymal region were studied ultrastructurally and histochemically. Epithelial cells of the rete testis had sparse coated vesicles and rarely showed spermiophagy. Many macrophages in the lumen of the rete testis actively phagocytosed spermatozoa. Nonciliated cells in the proximal efferent ductules had well-developed microvilli, coated vesicles, numerous tubular structures, and lysosomes in their apical cytoplasm. They rarely contained fragments of spermatozoa. Intense alkaline phosphatase activity was observed at the luminal borders of these cells. Ciliated cells had no features indicating active absorption of seminal plasma. Epithelial cells of the connecting ductules and epididymal duct had numerous microvilli, a few vesicles, and small lysosomes. They did not contain spermatozoa. Intense acid phosphatase activity was observed on the luminal and lateral surfaces of the epithelial cells of the connecting ductules and epididymal duct. After injection of horseradish peroxidase into the excurrent ducts, a large amount of reaction product was detected in the vesicles and tubular structures of the nonciliated cells of the proximal efferent ductules. These results suggest that the absorption of seminal plasma occurred mainly in the efferent ductules, and that spermiophagy by macrophages occurred in the rete testis in the fowl epididymal region.
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PMID:Histological study on seminal plasma absorption and spermiophagy in the epididymal region of domestic fowl. 266 49

The epididymis of stallion castrated during the breeding and non breeding seasons were subdivided into six regions and their ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics were studied in order to provide a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of this androgen target organ. Even when the stallion has been postulated to be a seasonal breeder, our results do not show significant ultrastructural or cytochemical differences in both seasons. The pseudostratified epithelium is composed mainly of principal and basal cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The principal cells show morphological features of protein or glycoprotein secretion, especially in the caput epididymidis. Although PAS, CFH and AB positive substances were found throughout the epididymis, the reactivity was maximal in the caput region. This positive reaction can be ascribed to acidic glycoproteins. In stallion tissues, 4.0 acetylated sialic acid occurs in relatively high amount and is possible that the acid glycoprotein observed in our material have also this characteristic. The principal cells of the distal caput and corpus epididymides also display morphological hallmarks of absorptive and anabolic activity. These results are consistent with the histological reactions that demonstrate that the enzymes involved in active transport showed the strongest reaction in the corpus region. The acid phosphatase reaction was also strongest in these segments. In the cauda region, where the spermatozoa are stored ready for ejaculation, morphological signs of metabolic activity were also observed, but less notorious than in the more proximal segments. Resorption of non ejaculated spermatozoa was also observed in this region. It is difficult to evaluate the functional meaning of the spermatophagy in the epididymis because the images of sperm phagocytosed by epithelial cells were seen only in one or two cases. The chemical composition of the epididymal fluids changes along the length of this organ, concomitantly with the sperm maturation process, and it is possible to assume that some of these changes are a result of the secretory and absorptive activities of the principal cells.
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PMID:Cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of the stallion epididymis (Equus caballus). 270 7

An ethanolic extract of the tender shoots of Bambusa arundinaceae was administered at 300 mg/kg per rat per day for 7 days to adult male rats to assess epididymal structural and functional activity. Sperm motility decreased markedly in the cauda epididymal fluid and sperm count decreased significantly in both caput and caudal segments of the epididymis. Histologically, a reduction in epithelial and stereocilia height (in both segments) and lumen diameter (in cauda) was noted. An increase in intertubular stroma was also evident. Epididymal weights, activities of acid phosphatase and total LDH were reduced in both epididymal segments. Protein concentration was appreciably increased only in the caudal segment. Extract therapy impaired the structural and functional integrity of the epididymis.
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PMID:Effects of bamboo buds: structural and functional changes in the epididymis of rats. 274 54

Gossypol acetic acid (20, 25 or 30 mg/kg/day orally for 5 weeks) decreased epididymal weight in adult Sprague-Dawley rats but the epididymal concentrations of proteins, lactate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase were unchanged. The concentrations of carnitine, inositol and potassium in epididymal fluid were decreased in a dose-related manner. These modifications were not due to disturbances of Leydig and Sertoli cell functions which were normal. We suggest that the reduction in epididymal secretion results from a decrease in the number of spermatozoa rather than from a direct action of gossypol on the epididymal epithelium.
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PMID:Gossypol-induced modifications in the microenvironment of rat epididymal spermatozoa. 276 Aug 73

The effects of ligation of the ductus deferens on the epididymis in the fowl were studied histochemically and immunohistochemically to reveal the mechanisms of sperm disposal. At one week post-ligation, the lumina of the rete testes (RT) and the efferent ductules (ED) were distended and filled with densely accumulated spermatozoa. Macrophages and foreign-body giant cells were aggregated in and around the accumulations. The epithelium regressed in the initial portion of the RT with the invasion of fibroblasts and heterophiles into the lumen. The other part of the epithelium was penetrated by many spermatozoa. Numerous lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltrated into the interstitium. At 4 weeks, larger number of spermatozoa agglutinated in the lumen, and large masses of foamy cells and proliferated connective tissue protruded into the lumen. At 8 weeks, large masses of foamy cells were noted. The connecting ductules or the epididymal duct showed no marked changes after ligation. The epithelium of the ED showed weaker or no acid phosphatase activity after ligation. Immunoglobulin G-containing cells increased in number in the interstitium. These results showed that ligation of the ductus deferens in the fowl causes granuloma in the RT and ED, and that epithelial cells, macrophages and granuloma are engaged in the removal of spermatozoa. The participation of antibody is suggested in the sperm disposal processes.
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PMID:Effects of ligation of the ductus deferens on the fowl epididymal region. 276 Nov 44

Soybean phytase (myo-inositol-hexakisphosphate phosphohydrolase; EC 3.1.3.8) was purified from 10-day-old germinating cotyledons using a four-step purification scheme. Phytase was separable from the major acid phosphatase present, and stained as a minor band of the three acid phosphatases detectable by activity staining after gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme exhibited two closely migrating bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of approximately 59 and 60 KDa. The molar extinction coefficient of the enzyme at 280 nm was estimated to be 7.5 X 10(4) M-1 cm-1. The isoelectric point of phytase, as judged by the elution profile on chromatofocusing, was about 5.5. The enzyme was totally absorbed to a Procion Red HE3B column and eluted as a single protein component at a salt concentration of 250-300 mM. The enzyme possessed a high affinity for phytic acid (apparent Km = 48 microM), and was strongly inhibited by phosphate (apparent Ki = 18 microM), vanadate, and fluoride. Characteristic of other plant phytases, the pH and temperature optima were 4.5-4.8 and 55 degrees C, respectively.
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PMID:Purification and characterization of phytase from cotyledons of germinating soybean seeds. 282 33


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