Evidence for testosterone induced prealbumin secretion in ram epididymis

The fluids of the Rete Testis and of the different areas of the epididymis (caput, corpus, cauda) were collected by micropuncture of the Rete Testis or the epididymal duct from caput and corpus of normal Rams (n = 3) and 4 months orchidectomized Rams having in the last month a subcutaneous implant testosterone (200 mg) which delivered a constant rate of testosterone for 4 weeks. Homogenates of epididymal tissues from orchidectomized Rams (3 months) were prepared in saline (n = 4). All samples diluted in saline, were centrifuged and submitted to polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis (7.5% acrylamide) at pH 8.3. Results showed an alpha-globulin Rf 1.1 whose molecular weight was approximately 105,000 D which was clearly detected into the fluid of the caput or corpus epididymis, weakly in the cauda epididymis of normal Rams and at the 3 levels of the epididymis of the testosterone supplemented castrates; it was absent in tissues of castrated Rams not supplemented with testosterone supplemented castrates; it was absent in tissues of castrated Rams not supplemented with testosterone. Results were discussed according to epididymal sperm maturation.