Beta-galactosidase in the seminal plasma and reproductive organs of the bull.
The distribution of beta-galactosidase activity was studied in different reproductive organs, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of the bull. The highest specific activity of beta-galactosidase was found in testis and in different parts of the epididymis, where the activity seemed to be partly in secretory (cauda secretion) and partly in non-secretory, bound form (caput to cauda epididymidis). Gel filtration on Sepharose 6B at pH 7.0 revealed two beta-galactosidase forms (GF-1, Mr approximately 500,000-600,000 and GF-2, Mr approximately 190,000-220,000) in reproductive organs and seminal plasma. The pH-optimum of both beta-galactosidase forms was about 3.75-4.75. Hg2+ and p-chloromercuribenzoate inhibited strongly these activities. Further, form GF-2 seemed to be slightly more sensitive to the thermal inactivation at 50-70 degrees C than form GF-1. In chromatofocusing beta-galactosidase activities in bull seminal plasma coeluted with those of the cauda epididymidis (pI-values 7.5-6.4). On the contrary, prostate, Cowper's gland, testis, ampulla and seminal vesicles had enzyme activities eluting at lower pI-values (6.3-4.2). Thus, the seminal plasma activity is mainly an indicator for the function of the epididymal cauda.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004822:Epididymis / Q000201:enzymology; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000201:enzymology*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology*; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000201:enzymology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000201:enzymology*; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D005696:Galactosidases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase