Effect of diabetes mellitus on epididymal enzymes of adult rats.

Diabetes mellitus caused significant reduction in serum testosterone and accessory sex glands weight. The sperm content of epididymal regions also decreased. Among the epididymal regions, the cauda epididymidal tissue alone showed significant reduction in Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity. However, Mg2+ ATPase activity was lowered in caput epididymidis only. Specific activity of Ca2+ ATPase significantly decreased in caput and cauda epididymides. All three ATPases decreased significantly in caput epididymidal spermatozoa leaving cauda epididymidal spermatozoa unaffected. Specific activity of alkaline phosphatase was suppressed in caput epididymidis and in the spermatozoa collected from caput and cauda epididymides, while the acid phosphatase was unaffected. In general, the results are suggestive of definite influence of diabetes on epididymal phosphatases which is region specific. Diabetes induced decrease in phosphatases may have an impact on secretory and absorptive functions of epididymis and thus on sperm maturation.