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Control of reabsorption of water and electrolytes by guinea-pig seminal vesicle in vivo

Summary. Guinea-pig seminal vesicles reabsorbed Na⁺ and K⁺ in vivo from a standard bicarbonate buffer against both electrical and chemical gradients. Water was reabsorbed with the ions. Concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the reabsorbate were greater than in plasma or the initial buffer perfusate. Guinea-pigs castrated for 6 days did not reabsorb water or electrolytes, but daily administration of testosterone or 5-dihydrotestosterone restored normal reabsorption rates. Addition of prostaglandin E-2 to the perfusate inhibited water and Na⁺ reabsorption. Section of the hypogastric nerve did not affect reabsorption rates measured 10 days later. We suggest that the guinea-pig seminal vesicle maintains a basal reabsorptive capacity to remove electrolytes and water that diffuse or are secreted into the lumen and that the reabsorptive pump may be coupled to a secretory one activated intermittently and perhaps partly modulated by prostaglandins.