抄録
Lectin binding patterns in spermatogonia of Syrian hamsters in gonadally active and inactive states were examined by light and electron microscopy. After exposure to a short day cycle (SD), the testis weight and the diameter of seminiferous tubules decreased, reaching the minimum at 13 weeks. At that time, spermatogenesis was severely disrupted. In the animals kept exposed to an SD, spermatogenesis reinitiated spontaneously after 23 weeks. In the animals transferred to a long day cycle (LD) after exposure to an SD for 13 weeks, spermatogenesis reinitiated only 4 weeks later. As to the lectin binding, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) bound specifically to spermatogonia. The number of DBA-positive spermatogonia per one seminiferous tubule increased until 13 weeks after exposure to an SD, and then gradually decreased. DBA bound to only type A spermatogonia in active testes, whereas it bound to type A, intermediate and type B spermatogonia in inactive testes. Moreover, SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis of testes in active and inactive states indicated that DBA-binding bands (115 kDa, 76 kDa) in inactive testes were intense compared with those in active testes. The 82 kDa band was detected only in inactive testes. These results supported the finding obtained from lectin histochemistry. DBA-binding glycoprotein was detected in all types of spermatogonia in inactive testes, suggesting that this glycoprotein way concern the active/inactive state of spermatogenesis. The present study also indicated that DBA is a useful marker for spermatogonia in inactive testes of Syrian hamster.
