STUDIES ON POLYAMINES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS AND URINARY BLADDER

Report 1. Distribution of Polyamines

Abstract

In order to investigate the role of polyamines, i. e., spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM), in male reproductive behavior and bladder function, polyamine concentration in the brain, male reproductive organs and bladder was examined in dogs. Separation of polyamines was performed according to Endo and Ogura's method.
The results are as follows:
In the brain, SPD content showed the highest level in the medulla oblongata, and it decreased in the brain sections near the cerebrum. On the contrary, SPM content was the highest in the hippocampus, and it decreased in the brain sections distant from the cerebrum. The SPD/SPM ratio was highest in the medulla oblongata and decreased in the brain sections near the cerebrum. The value of the ratio was more than 1 in all sections of the brain.
In the male reproductive organs and bladder, SPD content showed the highest level in the testis, and the lowest level in the bladder body. The adrenal gland, prostate, epididymis, bladder apex, vas deferens, and bladder neck showed intermediate levels. SPM content showed the highest level in the prostate and the lowest level in the bladder neck. The testis, adrenal gland, epididymis, bladder apex, vas deferens, and bladder body showed intermediate levels. The SPD/SPM ratio exhibited the highest value in the epididymis and the lowest in the prostate. The testis, bladder neck, vas deferens, adrenal gland, bladder apex, and bladder body showed intermediate values. The value of this ratio was less than 1 in all these organs. This suggests that the functional role of polyamines may differ in the central nervous system and the male reproductive organs and bladder.