Acid phosphatases in the mouse testis: activity changes during development.

The histology and acid phosphatase activities of the developing testes in the mouse, from 4 days of age until maturity, were analyzed. The specific enzyme activity with p-nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate increased after 3 weeks of age and then reached a plateau. Cobalt and zinc markedly increased the specific activity after the third week. After fractionation the testicular homogenate revealed four acid phosphatases. Enzyme I maintained a high activity during the first 3 weeks but steadily declined thereafter. Enzyme II, present in all age groups, showed a moderate increase after the fourth week. Enzymes III and IV were low and declined further during the first 3 weeks with a subsequent increase. This occurred concomitantly with the appearance of spermatids and mature sperm cells. Changes in enzyme activities seem to reflect the alterations in cellular composition of the testis during the developmental process. Enzymes III and IV were probably associated with spermatids and sperm cells.