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GLYCOGEN, PHOSPHORYLASE AND GLYCOGEN SYNTHETASE IN HAMSTER TESTIS DURING POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT

Summary.: The distributions of glycogen, phosphorylase and glycogen synthetase were studied in the testes and ductuli efferentes of hamsters aged 1 to 99 days (body weight 3 to 130 g). Glycogen was also determined quantitatively.

From Stages IV to VIII of spermatogenesis, the seminiferous tubules of adult hamsters contain considerable amounts of glycogen (0·15 to 0·2% of testicular weight), localized in the Sertoli cells and in the lumen of the tubules. Phosphorylase and glycogen synthetase are also present in tubules containing glycogen.

The appearance of glycogen in the seminiferous tubules during the 4th week of life (45-g animals) coincides with the appearance of spermatocytes. Up to the establishment of spermatogenesis (usually 5th or 6th week; 50 to 60-g animals), a progressive increase in the glycogen content (0·05 to 0·07%) and phosphorylase activity is observed. Glycogen synthetase activity appears at this stage. A sharp rise in glycogen concentration as well as an increase in activity of phosphorylase and glycogen synthetase occurs at puberty. From the 3rd month, the enzyme activities diminish considerably, though the content and cyclic distribution of glycogen remains unchanged.

Rete testis epithelium, though devoid of glycogen, contains phosphorylase at all the stages of development. In the adult, the intratesticular rete testis lumen contains a trace of glycogen and phosphorylase. The proximal portion of the ductuli efferentes is characterized by a massive glycogen accumulation in the epithelium (ciliated cells) as well as in the lumen. Both phosphorylase and glycogen synthetase have a high activity in this organ. Glycogen synthesis in the ductuli efferentes occurs earlier than in the seminiferous tubules.

It seems probable that spermatogenesis and glycogen synthesis are independent of each other.