title: Lectin-binding patterns in the spermatogenic cells of the shiba goat testis.
abstract: Lectin-binding patterns in the testis of the sexually mature goat were investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) and Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-I (GS-I) were negative in the seminiferous epithelium, but soybean (Glycine max) agglutinin (SBA), Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II (GS-II) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin (PNA) were positive in the acrosomal vesicle of the Golgi-phase spermatids and in the acrosome of the cap-, acrosome- and maturation-phase spermatids. In addition, PNA was positive also in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm of the spermatogenic cells from the late pachytene spermatocytes to the maturation-phase spermatids. This finding indicates that glycoconjugates containing D-galactose residue appear at this period. Therefore, PNA may be a useful marker of developing spermatogenic cells. Electron microscopically, the positive reactions of SBA, GS-II and PNA were demonstrated in the central dense area (acrosomal granule) of the cap-phase spermatid acrosome, but not in the peripheral low-dense area. These results indicate that the lectin-bindings in the goat testis not only are common features, but also have patterns somewhat different from those in other mammals in such a way that GS-II can be detected in the acrosomal region of all phases of spermatids and that PNA is positive in the late spermatid acrosome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurohmaru
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D006001:Glycoconjugates / Q000032:analysis*; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D013087:Spermatids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D006001:Glycoconjugates; D037102:Lectins