Effect of testosterone on epididymal proteins in castrated rhesus monkeys

Abstract

The effect of testosterone on regulation of epididymal protein synthesis has been investigated in castrated rhesus monkeys (Mucaca mulatta). The proteins in the treated monkeys were characterized using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (under nondenaturing and denaturing conditions) and electrofocusing. At least four distinct proteins have been shown to be synthesized by the monkey epididymis under testosterone influence. Two of these proteins were detected following two days of testosterone treatment while the other two proteins were detected after a six-day treatment period. None of these proteins was detectable in monkeys treated with estradiol for six days. Electrofocusing of epididymal cytosol proteins from untreated and testosterone-treated and castrated monkeys also confirmed the presence of four androgen-dependent proteins in this species. The isoelectric points of these proteins were shown to range between 5.8 and 6.4. The molecular weights of these proteins were found to vary between 47,500 and 66,000. The in vitro incorporation of 3H-labeled amino acids was markedly greater in the androgen-primed epididymis as compared with the control tissue.

Effect of cyproterone acetate on structure and function of rhesus monkey reproductive organs

“…In contrast, only one report, using denaturing conditions of electrophoresis, records the changes in protein composition of spermatozoa during epididymal maturation or the role of epididymal proteins in this process in nonhuman primates (Young et al, 1985). Limited information is reported (Haider et al, 1983; Arslan et al, 1986) on the gross changes in protein composition of tissue cytosol of different segments of monkey epididymis using nondenaturing conditions of electrophoresis.…”

Characterization and Androgen Dependence of Specific Proteins in the Epididymis of Adult Rhesus Monkey(Macac a Mulatta)

“…This investigation demonstrates the presence of at least five androgen-regulated proteins in the epididymal cytosol of the adult rhesus monkey. In a previous study using castrated imma-ture monkeys, androgen treatment has been shown to stimulate the synthesis of four proteins (characterized as bands B-E by PAGE) in the epididymal cytosol [12]. Similar androgendependent proteins have been identified in the epididymis of rat 16-43].…”

Gonadal Response to Psychosocial Stress in Male Tree Shrews (Tupaia belangeri) Morphometry of Testis, Epididymis and Prostate

“…Contrary in rhesus monkeys both an elevation of testosterone in dominant and a depression in subordinate animals exist (Kling and Dunne -1973;Rose et al -1971Rose et al - ,1972Rose et al - ,1975. Evidence has been accumulated emphasizing the importance of testosterone for maintenance of the epithelium in the epididymis (Jones -1974, Haider et al -1983, Kumar and Panda -1983 as well as in the prostate gland (Timms -1983).…”