A HISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF COENZYME-LINKED DEHYDROGENASES IN SCORBUTIC SEMINAL VESICLES

Abstract

The effects of ascorbic acid depletion and inanition on the seminal vesicle of the guinea pig were studied histochemically. Through use of the appropriate substrate, several enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof scheme, the citric acid cycle and the hexose monophosphate shunt were examined. Results indicate that in avitaminosis C, and to a lesser extent in inanition, there is alteration of the functional activity of the cytoplasm of the seminal vesicle epithelium. This change is indicated by decrease of the hexose monophosphate shunt enzymes and, to a limited degree, changes in the citric acid cycle and glutamate dehydrogenase side chain.