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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 15, 118-125, Copyright © 1976 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Synthesis and Secretion of Glycoproteins in Rat, Bulbo-Urethral (Cowper’s) Glands. I. The Effect of Copulation on the Glandular Content and on the Incorporation of Galactose and Leucine

J. J. GEUZE 1, and J. W. SLOT 1

1 Centre for Electron Microscopy, Medical Faculty, University of Utrecht, Nic. Beetsstraat 22, Utrecht, The Netherlands


Discharge and synthesis of rat bulbo-urethal gland secretory product was studied in relation to the normal copulatory process. Measurements of the macromolecularly-bound hexose contents in the glands revealed that immediately after the start of sexual intercourse, the glands emitted secretory product independently of the occurrence of ejaculation. Depletion of the glands was completed after 4 h (64 percent loss of hexose contents), concurrently with an ending of mating. The glands refilled gradually with hexose until after 1 week hexose contents had returned to the control level.

In vivo labeling of the secretory product with 1 4C-leucine and 3H-galactose at various time intervals after the start of copulation showed that glycoprotein synthesis increased immediately and peaked 6 and 13 h, After about 4 days, synthesis was again near the control level.

These trends were accompanied by impressive morphological alterations. In control glands the lumen was filled with secretory product and the cells were studded with secretory granules and contained only scarce cytoplasm. Within 4 h after the start of the intromissions the glandular lumen was empty and the development of cell structures indicated active formation of secretory product.

Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are grateful to the Laboratory of Organical Chemistry, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, for performing the sugar analyses, to Miss W. E. M. Goedemans for her skilled technical assistance, to Dr. W. Hawkins for reading the text and to Miss M. E. Huese for typing the manuscript.

Submitted on December 29, 1975
Accepted on April 6, 1976






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Copyright © 1976 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.