Hormonal Regulation of Isoenzymes of N-Acetyl-β-Glucosaminidase and β-Galactosidase During Spermatogenesis in the Rat1

Isoenzymes of β-galactosidase and of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase were assayed during development of rat testis and as a function of hormonal treatments. Isoenzyme I of β-galactosidase was highest in specific activity in the 4-day-old testis, at a point when Sertoli cells and gonocytes were the predominant cell type. β-galactosidase II, previously shown to be associated with the sperm acrosome, was undetectable through the spermatocyte stage of development, but increased in specific activity during the formation of spennatids. The specific activities of isoenzymes I and II of Nacetyl-β-glucosaminidase increased markedly in association with the formation of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and then declined with the appearance of spermatids. Following hypophysectomy of rats at 26 days of age or in adulthood the specific activities of the lysosomal enzymes β-galactosidase I and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase I and II increased markedly, while the acrosomal β-galactosidase II was undetectable. The normal patterns ...