Cytochemical study on the distribution of adenylate cyclase in guinea pig testis.

The distribution of adenylate cyclase in testis, by means of a specific substrate adenylyl-imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP), has been determined. Membrane-associated reaction products, indicative of adenylate cyclase activity, are localized by a complete cytochemical medium (containing 10 mM NaF) at the level of the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium, on the basal surface of Sertoli cells, and on adjacent plasma membranes of Sertoli cells and spermatogonial cells. At the level of the adluminal compartment, reaction products were found on adjacent plasma membranes of Sertoli cells and early or elongated spermatids. Adenylate cyclase reaction products are detectable by a basal incubation medium (without 10 mM NaF) only in the adluminal compartment on the spermatid plasma membranes.