A chemical and histochemical study of alkaline phosphatase and aliesterase in the epldidymis of normal and castrate mice
Allen, J.M.; Slater, J.J.
Anatomical Record 129(2): 255-273
1957
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-276X PMID: 13509195 DOI: 10.1002/ar.1091290209
Accession: 029612131
Alkaline phosphate and aliesterase in the epididymis of normal and castrate mice has been investigated by chemical and histochemical methods. Alkaline phosphatase in epithelial cells is confined to Lobes 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the head segment of the epididymal canal. Lobes 1 and 2 of the epididymal canal show no alkaline phosphatase activity. Non-ciliated cells of lobe 3 are also negative. The enzyme is also present in capillaries and connective tissues of all regions of the epididymis. Castration abolishes alkaline phosphatase activity in epithelial cells and lowers activity of the enzyme in connective tissues. Capillaries are unaffected by castration. Aliesterase activity Ls present in all epithelial cells of the epididymal canal. Epithelial cells of Lobe 1 show moderate activity. Epithelial cells of Lobe 2 and the ciliated cells of Lobe 3 show low aliesterase activity. Non-ciliated cells of Lobe 3 show intense activity. Aliesterase activity increases progressively in Lobes 4, 5 and 6 but drops to low levels in Lobe 7. Intense aliesterase activity is present in the body and tail of the epididymis. Connective tissues and capillaries show no aliesterase activity. Castration does not affect aliesterase activity in the ciliated cells of Lobes 2, 3 and 7; activity in all other epithelial cells is depressed. Testosterone propionate reverses the effects of castration in the case of both alkaline phosphatase and aliesterase.
