Seminal ribonuclease synthesis in bull reproductive organs during ontogenesis

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of seminal ribonuclease in reproductive tract fluids of bulls

Bovine seminal ribonuclease (BS RNase) is synthetized in the ampulary gland and seminal vesicles of the bull as shown by indirect immunofluorescence and by using a sensitive sandwich-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The ampullary and seminal vesicle BS RNase concentrations in samples of 15 bulls were 656 micrograms/ml and 1285 micrograms/ml, respectively. Seminal plasma BS RNase levels in 22 breeding bulls were slightly lower than in the seminal vesicles--1132 micrograms/ml. There were no significant differences in the concentration of this enzyme in seminal plasma of 16 bulls ranked as having high and low fertility. Even with its immunosuppressive activity this enzyme does not seem important for the protection of sperm cells in the female reproductive tract.