GLYCOSIDASE ACTIVITY IN EPIDIDYMAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS ISOLATED FROM NORMAL AND ALPHA-CHLOROHYDRIN TREATED MALE RATS

Glycosidase activities were determined in cells isolated from the caput epididymidis of normal and α-chlorohydrin-treated (6-8 mg/kg/day) Wistar rats. In control animals, β-glucuronidase, β-galactosidase, and N-acetylglucosaminidase activities were localized primarily in the principal cells of the epididymis. Considering relative activities in principal cells, N-acetylglucosaminidase > β-galactosidase > β-glucuronidase. Alpha-chlorohydrin treatment had no affect on activities of β-glucuronidase or N-acetylglucosaminidase (P > .05), but the activity of β-galactosidase decreased to 50% of control values in the principal cells isolated from treated rats. Further study of these and other enzyme systems in the epididymal epithelium may improve our understanding of the contraceptive action of α-chlorohydrin. © 1978.