[Distribution of enzymes in the stereocilia of the ductus epididymis of rats (author's transl)].

Using unfixed or cryostate sections from aldehyde fixed epididymides of adult rats gamma-glutamyl naphthylamides are hydrolysed in the stereocilia of the principal cells in zone 1A-4B and glycyl-prolyl naphthylamides in those of zone 1B-4A (nomenclature of Reid and Cleland, 1957); this is not the case when other amino acid and peptide naphthylamides are employed. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is metabolized by the stereocilia in zone 1a, 2, 3 and 4A and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in the stereocilia of zone 3-6. With thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) especially the Golgi apparatus of the principal cells in zone 1B and C, 2 and 3 reacts. In addition ATP, AMP and TPP stain the stereocilia of single epithelial cells outside the zones where all stereocilia react. The AMP pattern allows a further subdivision of zone 3 into 3 A and B. Substrates for the demonstration of alpha- and beta-D-glycosidases, non-specific esterases and alkaline phosphatases are either not hydrolyzed by the stereocilia or the rate of hydrolysis is low.