SEGMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE, ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE AND POLYAMINES IN THE HUMAN EPIDIDYMIS

Regional differences in the total activities of the epididymal secreto ry parameter, alpha-glucosidase, were demonstrated in the 20 000 g sup ernatants of human epididymal homogenates. A comparison of the enzymic activities in the supernatants and the washings from 12 one centimetr e segments of human epididymides indicated an activity peak in segment s 3-4 which appeared to be largely intracellular and which presumably reflects the acidic isoenzyme. A second peak in the caudal region, the segmental localization of which was more variable and differed in pos t-mortem and operation specimens, appeared to be primarily intralumina l. The activities of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in the polyamine pathway, also exhibited regional differences w ith higher activities in relatively short segments in both caput and c audal portions. Corresponding alterations were also found in the tissu e concentrations of the enzyme products, spermidine and spermine. The increased intracellular activities of ODC and alpha-glucosidase in the distal caput segments presumably reflect the transition of epithelium from the efferent to the epididymal ducts.