Metabolic Characteristics of the Guinea Pig Seminal Vesicle

Abstract

Various aspects of metabolism in the secretory epithelium and smooth muscle of the normal, adult guinea pig seminal vesicle were studied in vitro. Seminal vesicle epithelium was found to respire 4-5 times as fast as muscle. Of many substrates used, only succinate had a slight stimulatory effect on epithelial respiration, while pyruvate and succinate were very effective in elevating the QO2 of muscle. Intact epithelium was several times more active than muscle in aerobic lactate production from a variety of carbohydrate substrates. However, fructose, which is secreted by the seminal vesicle in vivo, was utilized by muscle but not by epithelium. Both tissues utilized glucose, mannose, and pyruvate. Epithelial homogenates were unable to utilize glucose, fructose, or glucose-1-phosphate as substrates for glycolysis, but could utilize fructose-1,6-diphosphate. Muscle homogenates effectively utilized all of these substrates.