Biochemical changes in the spermatozoa and luminal contents of different regions of the epididymis of the rhesus monkey- Macaca mulata

Abstract

Several biochemical constituents in the spermatozoa and luminal fluid collected from the different regions of the epididymis and the ductus deferens of the adult rhesus monkey were studied. Levels of bound sialic acid, protein, total phospholipid, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, sphingomyelin and total lipid in the spermatozoa decreased progressively during their transit through the epididymis and remained unchanged in the ductus deferens and the ejaculate. Levels of bound sialic acid and total lipid in the luminal fluid increased from the caput to the cauda epididymidis whereas the levels of phospholipid decreased in these regions. The significance of these changes is discussed in relation to the process of sperm maturation in the epididymis.