Rat testis and epididymis can transport [3H] 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, [3H] inositol and [3H] alpha-aminoisobutyric acid across its epithelia in vivo.

The in vivo movement of [3H] 3-0-methyl-D-glucose ([3H] 30MG), [3H] L-glucose, [3H] inositol and [3H] alpha-aminoisobutyric acid ([3H] alpha AIB) into and across the rat testicular and epididymal epithelium was investigated. After systemic infusion of [3H] 30MG, both epididymal and testicular tissue concentrations of the isotope were approximately 50% lower than blood plasma levels, even 24 h after infusion. Similar results were observed for caput and seminiferous tubule fluid. There was a significant reduction of [3H] 30MG caput lumen to blood ratio when the blood glucose concentration was increased to 2-5 times that of normal. A similar reduction of [3H] 30MG caput lumen to blood ratio was observed when 1000 mumol of 2-methylaminoisobutyric acid (meAIB) was infused with the isotope. Caput luminal [3H] L-glucose concentration never exceeded 10% of blood levels. The data suggest that glucose is transported across the testicular and epididymal epithelium via a facilitated diffusion mechanism (carrier mediated) and that the carrier is situated on the basolateral membrane. This study did not demonstrate either a glucose countertransport system or a glucose-inositol exchange system across the epithelium of the caput epididymidis. Epididymal tissue (except cauda) and caput luminal fluid concentrations of [3H] inositol exceeded that of blood plasma within 1 h after infusion of isotope. The proximal regions of the epididymis demonstrated significantly higher transporting activity than either cauda or testis. Systemic infusion of 100 mumol myo-inositol significantly reduced the transport of [3H] inositol into caput luminal fluid and epididymal and testicular tissue. It is suggested that there is a carrier situated on the basolateral membrane which is able to transport inositol against a concentration gradient (probably active transport). Epididymal tissue (except cauda), testicular tissue and caput luminal fluid concentrations of [3H] alpha AIB also exceeded that of blood plasma but only 24 h after infusion of isotope. The initial segment and corpus regions of the epididymis had a significantly higher transporting activity compared to the remainder of the epididymis and the testis. A dose of 500 mumol meAIB reduced epididymal uptake of [3H] alpha AIB. These results suggest that there is a carrier situated in the basolateral membrane which can transport the amino acid against a concentration gradient (probably active transport). The differences in transport activities of the compounds investigated along the reproductive tract probably indicate differences in the affinity or quantity of the carriers. These epididymal transporting systems regulate the movement of material across its epithelium and may help to protect the epididymis from fluctuations in the blood concentration of each compound.