[Studies of androgen binding protein. 1st report: Androgen binding protein in testis and epididymis of rabbit and human (author's transl)].
Androgen-binding protein (ABP) appears to originate in the Sertoli cells, which are stimulated by FSH and androgens, and serves to transport androgen into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. Androgen may be more readily available for the process of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. ABP was measured in rabbit and human testes using the method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis described by Ritzen et al. (1974). The values of ABP were as follows: rabbit testes (n=6) 0.44 +/- 0.05 pmoles/mg protein, rabbit caput epididymides (n=5) 5.52 +/- 1.4 pmoles/mg protein, rabbit corpus epididymides (n=5) 1.35 +/- 0.43 pmoles/mg protein, rabbit cauda epididymides (n=5) 0.39 +/- 0.12 pmoles/mg protein, rabbit efferent duct fluid (n=2) 62.4 +/- 24.6 pmoles/mg protein and human testes (obtained from untreated patients with prostatic cancer)(n=3) 0.30 +/- 0.22 pmoles/mg protein. Since we could not distinguish ABP from testosterone-estrogen binding globulin (TeBG) with the assay, the values were corrected at first by Hb concentration, but it was not satisfactory, and other methods are now being studied.
D000368:Aged; D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004822:Epididymis / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013737:Testis / Q000032:analysis*
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D002352:Carrier Proteins