ABSTRACT
Prolonged treatment with tamoxifen induces changes in the male reproductive tract in rats. In this study changes in the protein content of the rat epididymal fluid as a consequence of prolonged treatment with tamoxifen are reported. Among five lysosomal enzymes measured in the epididymal fluid, alpha-mannosidase (alpha-MAN) significantly diminished, but other enzymes did not. Electrophoretic analysis of fluids showed that proteins of estimated molecular weight 25, 60, 80-85 and 180 kDa decreased in the treated rats. We also detected an increase in the binding of beta-galactosidase (beta-GAL) to caudal spermatozoa in treated rats. These changes may be related in part to the loss of fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa after tamoxifen treatment.
