SDS-PAGE analysis of caput epididymis proteins in rats receiving a zinc deficient diet

Caput epididymis proteins from control, pairfed and zinc deficient (ZD) wistar weanling albino rats after 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-weeks were examined using SDS-PAGE followed by densitometric scanning of the gels. In comparison to the control and pairfed rats, ZD rats displayed new proteins. These included a Mr 42 kDa from 2ZD, Mr 47.5, 27.5, 23.2 and 16.0 kDa from 4ZD and Mr 87 and 14.2 kDa from 6ZD group. The 8ZD group, however, revealed no additional protein bands over controls. Further, several other proteins were missing from ZD rats. These included Mr 93 and 71 kDa from 2ZD; 93, 90, 79, 67, 62, 55 and 15.3 kDa from 4ZD; 60, 45.5, 34, 30 and 24 kDa from 6ZD and 41.5, 33 and 27.5 kDa bands from 8ZD group. The results indicate that the induced Zn-deficient state may be responsible for the altered protein patterns in the caput epididymis. The duration of low Zn uptake period also appears to influence the protein pattern in caput epididymis.