[Effect of retinol deficiency on the activity of phospholipase A lysosomal enzymes in rat testes]

In the testes homogenates of rats kept on a A-deficient ration and receiving additionally retinyl-acetate (control) and retinoic acid (experiment) the activity of the phospholipases A1 and A2, with 1-acyl-2(1-14C)-oleoyl-SN-glycero-3-galactosidase and acid phosphatase employed as a substrate, was investigated. In the testes of rats receiving retinyl-acetate the activity of the phospholipases A1 and A2 was greatly declining. An addition of retinyl to the testes homogenates of test rats contributed to re-establishing the activity of the phospholipases up to the control level. In the testes of rats receiving retinoic acid a reduced activity of the acid phosphatase and a rise of beta-galactosidase, as compared to their activity in controls was also demonstrable.