Fine structure distribution of non-specific acid phosphatase in the head region of mouse spermatozoa from various regions of the male reproductive tract.
The fine structure distribution of non-specific acid phosphatase was determined in the head region of mouse spermatozoa from the testes, the caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis and the ductus deferens. Enzymatic localization was achieved by the Gomori technique. The postacrosomal dense lamina, the nuclear side of the inner acrosomal membrane and the space between the plasmalemma and the outer acrosomal membrane showed reaction product in spermatozoa from the testis and caput epididymidis. Spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis exhibited reaction product only between the plasmalemma and the outer acrosomal membrane. Spermatozoa from the corpus epididymidis and from the ductus deferens showed no reaction product in the head region. The changes observed in the distribution of acid phosphatase in the sperm head during epididymal transport may reflect maturational events.
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000177:Acrosome / Q000201:enzymology; D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000201:enzymology*; D013079:Sperm Maturation; D013083:Sperm Transport; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*; D013737:Testis; D014649:Vas Deferens
D000135:Acid Phosphatase