Distribution of acid and alkaline phosphatase in buffalo spermatozoa

The distribution of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) was studied in the head, midpiece and tail fractions of buffalo spermatozoa. Fractionation was achieved by the basic principles of ultrasonication and density gradient centrifugation. The activity of acid phosphatase in the head, midpiece and tail fractions was 7.30, 11.55 and 47.10 and for alkaline phosphatase 1.74, 6.95 and 26.71 respectively; the unit being microgram of inorganic phosphorus liberated/mg of protein/h at 37 degrees C.