PHOTOPERIOD-INDUCED CHANGES IN THE PROTEINS SECRETED BY THE MALE GENITAL-TRACT OF THE RODENT OCTODON-DEGUS

The proteins secreted by the male genital tract were analyzed in the seasonally breeding rodent Octodon degus. The protein patterns from the fluids collected from sexually active animals were compared with those from animals in resting period, with others which were previously castrated, and with castrated animals which received testosterone replacement treatment. Fluids from cauda epididymides (CE), seminal vesicles (SV) and prostate glands (PG) were collected, and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by different staining methods and densitometry. Modifications were detected in the protein patterns of resting or castrated animals. In CE fluid, the decrease of one protein band (45 Kda) and the uprising of another (210 Kda) were recognized after castration. In animals during resting period the changes were not as marked as in castrated animals. SV secretion demonstrated a similar response to resting phase and castration, because Protein SVS I (200 Kda) decreased or were not observed when these conditions occurred. PG fluid proteins were also modified after castration. In general, the more severe changes in the protein spectrum were induced by castration, despite radioimmunoassay showing that testosterone fall is even higher in resting period animals than in those castrated. Testosterone replacement resulted in recovery of a protein profile which is very similar to that of sexually active males. Results suggest that the androgenic control of male tract secretions would be rather different in this seasonal hystrichomorph when compared to the regulation system described for myomorph rodents. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.