Acid and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity in sperm storage tubules in Japanese quail

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a cell surface zinc metallo-enzyme is believed to be involved in cell differentiation and proliferation of epithelial cells in the sperm storage tubules (SSTs). Whereas, acid phosphatase (ACP) are known to provide phosphate to tissues that have high energy requirements, especially during development, growth and maturation. Therefore, efforts were made to explore the role of ACP and ALP enzymes involved in development of sperm SSTs. Fifty female Japanese quail selected from same hatch were used. Ten birds were sacrificed every week from 4^th to 8^th weeks of age. SSTs from the UVJ (uterio-vaginal junction) were collected and homogenized for enzyme analysis. Results revealed no significant difference (P>0.05) among the mean values of ALP enzyme with the increasing age, but numerically higher level of ALP was observed at 6^th (3.47 KAU/ml) and 7^th (3.48 KAU/ml) week of age while lower mean value was noticed on 5^th (2.28 KAU/ml)and 8^th (2.66 KAU/ml)week of age. The level of ACP enzyme was significantly reduced with maturation of oviduct. The results indicated that ALP and ACP are playing an important role in SSTs maturation in quail.