Ultrastructural study of the epididymis and the vas deferens and electrophoretic profile of their luminal fluid proteins in the lizard Mabuya carinata.

Abstract

The light microscopy, histochemical and TEM studies of the epididymis and the vas deferens revealed the presence of PAS positive secretory granules in the epithelial cells lining the lumen of these organs. One dimensional SDS gel electrophoretic pattern of luminal fluid proteins and the total protein content of the testis, three regions of the epididymis and the vas deferens of the lizard, Mabuya carinata were studied during breeding and nonbreeding season of the reproductive cycle. During breeding season, 25 protein bands in the testicular luminal fluid, 26 in the anterior epididymal luminal fluid and 28 in the middle and posterior epididymal luminal fluid were found. Ten new protein bands appeared in the anterior epididymal region whereas five new protein bands appeared in the middle region of the epididymis indicating regional difference in protein secretions of the epididymis. Vas deferens luminal fluid showed the highest number of protein bands (32) and the highest total protein content (9.07 mg/ml) compared to the testis and the epididymis. Four new protein bands appeared in the vas deferens. Number of protein bands in the luminal fluids of testis, epididymis and the vas deferens were significantly reduced during nonbreeding season compared to those of the breeding season. Consistent with the decrease in the number of protein bands, there was a significant reduction in the total protein concentration in all the tissue samples during nonbreeding season. The results indicate seasonal differences in number of proteins secreted and quantity of proteins in the luminal fluid of male reproductive tract of M. carinata. This is the first study in reptiles revealing appearance of new proteins in epididymis, and vas deferens by conducting simultaneous electrophoretic profile of testicular, epididymal and vas deferens luminal contents.