Immunocytochemical Localization of a 58kDa Glycoprotein of Epididymal Fluid of Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta)

A 58kDa glycoprotein of epididymal fluid of rhesus monkey, using lectins Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA) and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA), was studied raising polyclonal antisera against this protein to study cross-reactivity with the epididymal fluids of mice, rat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit and Triton X-100 human sperm extract. The present study aimed at delineating the distribution of this 58kDa antigen in testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate tissues of rhesus monkey using immunological probes, depicting their ontogeny and its association with maturing spermatozoa. The epitopes cross-reacting with 58kDa antisera were predominantly distributed in the stroma region and luminal spermatozoa throughout the epididymis, vas deferens and prostate tissues. The epitopes against this 58kDa antisera have been conserved and could be explored for immuno-contraception in humans.