Lectin-binding patterns in the spermatogenic cells of the shiba goat testis.

Lectin-binding patterns in the testis of the sexually mature goat were investigated by light and transmission electron microscopy. Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) and Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-I (GS-I) were negative in the seminiferous epithelium, but soybean (Glycine max) agglutinin (SBA), Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin-II (GS-II) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin (PNA) were positive in the acrosomal vesicle of the Golgi-phase spermatids and in the acrosome of the cap-, acrosome- and maturation-phase spermatids. In addition, PNA was positive also in the plasma membrane and cytoplasm of the spermatogenic cells from the late pachytene spermatocytes to the maturation-phase spermatids. This finding indicates that glycoconjugates containing D-galactose residue appear at this period. Therefore, PNA may be a useful marker of developing spermatogenic cells. Electron microscopically, the positive reactions of SBA, GS-II and PNA were demonstrated in the central dense area (acrosomal granule) of the cap-phase spermatid acrosome, but not in the peripheral low-dense area. These results indicate that the lectin-bindings in the goat testis not only are common features, but also have patterns somewhat different from those in other mammals in such a way that GS-II can be detected in the acrosomal region of all phases of spermatids and that PNA is positive in the late spermatid acrosome.