Postnatal development of histochemical activity of ATPase in rabbit epididymis

ABSTRACT

Because of the importance of ATPase in the function of the epididymis, it is essential to understand the developmental pattern of this enzyme in the epididymis during postnatal life. Epididymides were obtained from rabbits aged 1 to 74 days. Fixed frozen sections were used to demonstrate the activity of ATPase. There was weak ATPase reaction on the luminal and lateral surfaces of the cells of the lining epithelium of the epididymis. Then the intensity of the reaction increased gradually and became prominent in the stereocilia, but it was more advanced in the terminal segment as compared to other segments. The developmental pattern of ATPase in the rabbit epididymis reaches maturity at the age of 74 days in the terminal segment but not in other segments