ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The seminal vesicle secretes a variety of substances into semen, ranging from small molecules to enzymes. The formation of protein components of the seminal vesicle secretion was studied in male rats following an injection of leucine-3H. Samples of seminal vesicle were fixed and prepared for light and electron microscope radioautography at intervals ranging between four minutes and two hours after the injection. In specimens prepared four minutes after administration of the precursor, the majority of silver grains overlay the rough endoplasmic reticulum. At subsequent intervals, the proportion of grains over the endoplasmic reticulum declined, and peaks of labeling were observed sequentially over the Golgi apparatus and over secretory vacuoles. The maximal labeling of the Golgi apparatus was attained between 10 and 30 minutes after the injection. Secretory vacuoles acquired their greatest radioactivity 30 minutes following administration of the leucine-3H. Labeled secretions began to appear in the lumen 30 minutes after the injection, and they became heavily labeled by one hour. The results suggest that secretory proteins are synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and transported rapidly to the Golgi apparatus where secretory vacuoles are formed. The secretory vacuoles migrate to the apical ends of the cells and discharge their contents into the lumen. The transport and release of secretory proteins in the seminal vesicle is unusually rapid and exceeds the rate in many other protein secreting cells, including that of the ventral prostate.
Additional Material:
1 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1091800302
