Genetic variation, cellular distribution and ontogeny of sorbitol dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes in male reproductive tissues of the mouse.

Cellulose acetate zymograms of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) extracted from male reproductive tissues of inbred mice were examined. ADH isozymes were differentially distributed in these tissues of C3H/He mice; ADH-B2 was observed in all tissues and testis cellular preparations examined; ADH-C2 was localized predominantly in the epididymis but was also present in the seminal vesicles, coagulating gland, and prostate gland. SDH was broadly distributed in these tissues but exhibited highest activities in the seminal vesicles, coagulating glands, and germinal cells of mature testes. Genetic variants for ADH-C2 and SDH provided evidence for (1) the identity of a second form of SDH in epididymis with ADH-C2; (2) the genetic identity of kidney, seminal vesicle, and testis SDH; and (3) the gentic identity of stomach and epididymal ADH-C2. Developmental changes in testis and epididymal ADH isozymes during maturation were examined. ADH-C2 appeared in the mature epididymis whereas ADH-B2 exhibited no major changes in activity in testis and epididymis during development.