Peptidase activities in the semen from the ductus deferens and uterus of the neotropical rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus.
To understand the role of peptidases in seminal physiology of Crotalus durissus terrificus, intra- and inter-seasonal activity levels of acid (APA), basic (APB), puromycin-sensitive (APN-PS) and puromycin-insensitive neutral (APN-PI), cystyl (CAP), dipeptidyl-IV (DPPIV), type-1 pyroglutamyl (PAP-I) and prolyl-imino (PIP) aminopeptidases as well as prolyl endopeptidase (POP) were evaluated in soluble (SF) and/or membrane-bound (MF) fractions of semen collected from the ductus deferens of the male reproductive tract and from the posterior portion of the uterus. Seminal APB, PIP and POP were detected in SF, while other peptidases were detected in SF and MF. Only the convoluted posterior uterus in winter and autumn had semen. Relative to other examined peptidases, in general, APN-PI, APN-PS and APB activities were predominant in the semen from the uterus and throughout the year in the semen from the ductus deferens, suggesting their great relevance in the seminal physiology of C. d. terrificus. The levels of peptidase activities in the ductus deferens semen varied seasonally and were different from those of semen in the uterus, suggesting that their modulatory actions on susceptible peptides are integrated to the male reproductive cycle events and spermatozoa viability of this snake.
Marinho
Camila Eduardo
CE
Laboratory of Pharmacology, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, SP 05503-900, Brazil.
Almeida Santos
Selma Maria
SM
Yamasaki
Simone Cristina
SC
Silveira
Paulo Flavio
PF
D000626:Aminopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017839:Crotalus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D000085822:Prolyl Oligopeptidases; D012621:Seasons; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000201:enzymology*; D014649:Vas Deferens
D000626:Aminopeptidases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D000085822:Prolyl Oligopeptidases