DISTRIBUTION OF LECTIN-BINDING IN SPERMATOGONIA OF SYRIAN-HAMSTERS INGONADALLY ACTIVE AND INACTIVE STATES

Lectin binding patterns in spermatogonia of Syrian hamsters in gonadal ly active and inactive states were examined by light and electron micr oscopy. After exposure to a short day cycle (SD), the testis weight an d the diameter of seminiferous tubules decreased, reaching the minimum at 13 weeks. At that time, spermatogenesis was severely disrupted. In the animals kept exposed to an SD, spermatogenesis reinitiated sponta neously after 23 weeks. In the animals transferred to a long day cycle (LD) after exposure to an SD for 13 weeks, spermatogenesis reinitiate d only 4 weeks later. As to the lectin binding, Dolichos biflorus aggl utinin (DBA) bound specifically to spermatogonia. The number of DBA-po sitive spermatogonia per one seminiferous tubule increased until 13 we eks after exposure to an SD, and then gradually decreased. DBA bound t o only type A spermatogonia in active testes, whereas it bound to type A, intermediate and type B spermatogonia in inactive testes. Moreover , SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis of testes in active and inactive states indicated that DBA-binding bands (115 kDa, 76 kDa) in inactive testes were intense compared with those in active testes. The 82 kDa b and was detected only in inactive testes. These results supported the finding obtained from lectin histochemistry. DBA-binding glycoprotein was detected in all types of spermatogonia in inactive testes, suggest ing that this glycoprotein way concern the active/inactive state of sp ermatogenesis. The present study also indicated that DBA is a useful m arker for spermatogonia in inactive testes of Syrian hamster.