Quantitative analysis of some enzymes and metabolites involved in energy metabolism of Cock spermatozoa and their fractions

Abstract

To ensure a better insight into the sperm metabolism in cock spermatozoa, an attempt was made to study various
biochemical parameters in the whole spermatozoa and their fractions. Two glucose metabolites, pyruvate and lactate were
studied to find out the status of their metabolism in the head and tail fractions of spermatozoa. Out of2 gluconeogenic enzymes,
glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-I, 6-bisphosphatase, the latter was only in traces in the head fraction whereas the former
was upto the extent of 12% in the head. Two citric acid cycle enzymes, malate dehydrogenase and fumarase were found almost
identical in activity in the head and tail fractions out of which about 5% activity was found in the head fraction which may be due
to contamination from the tail fraction. Out of 3 phosphatases, adenosine triphosphatase, acid phospahatase and alkaline
phosphatase, the last showed minimum activity in the head and tail fractions of spermatozoa of White Leghorns.