Hormonal regulation of isoenzymes of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and beta-galactosidase during spermatogenesis in the rat.

Isoenzymes of beta-galactosidase and of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were assayed during development of rat testis and as a function of hormonal treatments. Isoenzyme 1 of beta-galactosidase was highest in specific activity in the 4-day-old testis, at a point when Sertoli cells and gonocytes were the predominant cell type. Beta-galactosidase II, previously shown to be associated with the sperm acrosome, was undetectable through the spermatocyte stage of development, but increased in specific activity during the formation of spermatids. The specific activities of isoenzymes I and II of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase increased markedly in association with the formation of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, and then declined with the appearance of spermatids. Following hypophysectomy of rats at 26 days of age or in adulthood the specific activities of the lysosomal enzymes beta-galactosidase I and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase I and II increased markedly, while the acrosomal beta-galactosidase II was undetectable. The normal patterns of isoenzyme distributed were restored completely by administration of LH and FSH or testosterone to hypophysectomized animals. These results thus demonstrate specific patterns of isoenzyme concentration during spermatogenesis. Formation of the acrosome in developing spermatids is associated with the induction of new forms of beta-galactosidase (isoenzyme II) and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (sperm isoenzyme). These molecules appear to be specialized forms which may participate in fertilization, and their induction is dependent upon the actions of gonadotropins or testosterone.