EPIDIDYMAL ACID-HYDROLASES IN THE ANNUAL REPRODUCTIVE-CYCLE OF 2 LIZARDS

The activities of five acid hydrolases in the epididymis and the condi tion of the germinal epithelium of testes were assessed in two species of lizard, Liolemus elongatus and Phymaturus palluma, in different se asons of the year, The results show that the activities of N-acetyl-be ta-D-glucosaminidase and cu-mannosidase for L. elongatus and acid phos phatase for P. palluma were several times higher during the period of maximal sperm production in the testes, Interestingly, the activity of cr-mannosidase was maximal in the epididymis of P. palluma when the t estis presented minimal sperm production, In the liver, however, the a ctivity of the hydrolases studied underwent only minor variations thro ughout the year. The results suggest that some hydrolytic enzymes-spec ific for each species-are hormone dependent in the epididymis. These e nzymes may play a role in the processing of cell surface glycoproteins of maturing spermatozoa and in the involution of the epididymis durin g the period of sexual inactivity.