Abstract
SINCE Skou1 reported that an adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) stimulated by sodium and potassium in the presence of magnesium (Na–K ATPase) is present in submicroscopic fraction of crab nerve, many investigators have reported the presence of the same ATPase in various tissues2–6 (see also Hokin and Hokin's recent review7), and it was suggested that it plays an important part in the process of active transport of potassium and sodium ions. However, information concerning the presence of such an ATPase in spermatozoa is not, as yet, available. It seems very likely that active ion transport mechanism is also present in the spermatozoon, as its motility is affected by ionic environment. This communication reports our detection of Na–K ATPase activity in boar epididymal spermatozoon.
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References
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Post, R. L., Merrittt, C. R., Kinsolving, C. R., and Albright, C. D., J. Biol. Chem., 235, 1796 (1960).
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Hokin, L. E., and Hokin, M. R., Ann. Rev. Biochem., 32, 553 (1963).
Nelson, L., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 14, 312 (1954).
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UESUGI, S., YAMAZOE, S. Presence of Sodium–Potassium-stimulated ATPase in Boar Epididymal Spermatozoon. Nature 209, 403 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/209403a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/209403a0
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