Electrofocusing of esterases and phosphatases of some sex accessory organs in male New Zealand rabbits during transpuberal maturation.

In the male New Zealand rabbit, esterases and phosphatases of several sex accessory organs undergo some modifications at the beginning of the puberal period. The esterases show, by electrofocusing, a certain degree of multiplicity and therefore give rise to different bands whose number and relative activity change in relation to puberty in the epididymis, prostate and prepuce skin. High enzyme multiplicity is also shown by the perineal and the anal glands. Some bands are, in several of these organs, under the control of testicular hormones. The alkaline and acid phosphatases resolve by electrofocusing into a limited band number. The behaviour of these enzymes during postnatal life is complex and seems to be related to both morphological development and physiological activity of the various organs. The possible correlations between enzyme modifications and sex accessory organ maturation are discussed.