The Concentration of Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Inorganic Phosphate, Protein and Glycerylphosphorylcholine in the Epididymal Plasma of Bull Calves

Crabo, B. G.; Gustafsson, B.; Bane, Annie A.; Meschaks, P.; Ringmar, J. E.

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0130589

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Amongst animals which have been studied, the presence of high levels of GPC in the seminal vesicle secretion seems to be a peculiarity of the rat and guinea-pig, and we have confirmed that the secretion of GPC by this organ is also under androgenic control (Lundquist, 1953;Williams-Ashman & Banks, 1956;Dawson & Rowlands, 1959). Previous determinations of GPC concentrations in plasma from the cauda epididymidis and ductus deferens in a variety of animals range from 21 mM to 111 mM (Dawson et al, 1957;Dawson & Rowlands, 1959;White, Wallace, Wales & Scott, 1961; Scott, Wales, Wallace & White, 1963;Crabo, 1965;Crabo, Gustafsson, Bane, Meschaks & Ringmar, 1967; Quinn & White, 1967). Our values for the concentration of GPC and carnitine were 41 mM and 63 mM, respectively, and indicated that these two compounds accounted for a large part of the total osmotic pressure of fluid from the cauda epididymidis (Levine & Marsh (1971) found about 250 mosmol of pressure unaccounted for by the content of inorganic ions in fluid from the rat cauda epididymidis).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carnitine and Glycerylphosphorylcholine in the Reproductive Tract of the Male Rat

Brooks¹,

Hamilton²,

Mallek³

1974

Reproduction

149

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Carnitine and glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) levels have been measured in the reproductive tissues of male rats, with special reference to the epididymis. The increase in concentration of these compounds in reproductive tissues during the prepubertal and pubertal periods has been examined and their distribution along the epididymis has been determined in mature animals. Carnitine accumulates in the epididymal plasma in the cauda epididymidis whilst GPC accumulates in the caput epididymidis. By developing a new technique for the collection and separation of epididymal spermatozoa and undiluted fluid from the cauda epididymidis, the concentrations of carnitine, acetylcarnitine and GPC have been measured and the free fatty acid composition of epididymal plasma has also been determined and compared with blood plasma. By examining the effects of castration, testosterone replacement and cryptorchidism, the accumulation of carnitine and GPC in the epididymis has been shown to be under androgen control. By contrast, the anti-androgens, cyproterone acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate, did not influence secretory activity, perhaps because their effect was nullified by a high androgen concentration in epididymal plasma. The antifertility compound \ g=a\ \ x=r eq-\ chlorohydrin was also shown to be without effect on the concentration of carnitine and GPC in the reproductive tract. The relationship of carnitine and GPC to the metabolism of fatty acids by spermatozoa is discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carnitine and Glycerylphosphorylcholine in the Reproductive Tract of the Male Rat

Brooks¹,

Hamilton²,

Mallek³

1974

Reproduction

149

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“…The presence of GPC in epididymal plasma is well documented in a variety of species (Dawson, Mann & White, 1957;Dawson & Rowlands, 1959;Scott et al, 1963;Crabo, Gustafsson, Bane, Meschaks & Ringmar, 1967) and it is generally regarded as being a specific secretory product of the epididymis itself. The precise biological significance of GPC in the lumen of the epididymis, however, is not yet clear.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Composition of Epididymal Plasma From the Cauda Epididymidis of the Rat

Back¹,

Shenton²,

Glover³

1974

Reproduction

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The composition of epididymal plasma has been described in the boar (Mann, 1964; Crabo, 1965), the bull (Crabo, 1965; Wales, Wallace & White, 1966), the rabbit (Jones & Glover, 1973) and the ram (Scott, Wales, Wallace & White, 1963). In the rat, information on the subject is limited to measurements of ion concentrations (Levine & Marsh, 1971) in fluid collected by micropuncture techniques and to scattered values obtained from post-mortem material (Conchie, Findlay & Levvy, 1959; Dawson & Rowlands, 1959; Marquis & Fritz, 1965; Brooks, Hamilton & Mallek, 1974). The composition of this fluid in any species is important in relation to sperm survival and would seem to be of particular interest in rodents due to its relatively viscous consistency. It would also seem preferable to obtain such fluid from living animals, and with a minimum of contamination. The present paper, therefore, reports on the chemical composition of epididymal plasma obtained from the intact cauda epididymidis of anaesthetized rats. Twelve mature male rats (250 to 350 g) ofthe Wistar strain were anaesthetized with urethane (14% w/v in water; 10\m=.\0 ml/kg intraperitoneally), and the testes were exposed through a scrotal incision. A 23-gauge needle attached to a length of polyethylene tubing (1 mm o.d., 0\ m=. \ 5 mm i.d.) was inserted retrogradely into the ductus deferens, the other end of the tubing being attached to another needle and a syringe. The contents of the cauda epididymidis were collected by aspiration from both ductus deferentes aided by mild electrical stimulation (0\ m=. \ 5 to 5\ m=. \ 0 V) of the smooth muscle of the cauda. Because of the viscous nature of the epididymal fluid in the rat, the caudal contents were expelled gradually over a period of 1 to 2 min and between 30 and 50 \ g=m\ 1 of uncontaminated fluid were obtained.

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