Accumulation of Phosphocreatine and Creatine in the Cells and Fluid of Mouse Seminal Vesicles is Regulated by Testosterone1

Abstract

We have recently established that phosphocreatine (PCr), a high-energy phosphate compound known to serve as an intracellular energy reserve, accumulates in the seminal vesicular fluid (SVF) of the mouse and the rat. To investigate whether the accumulation of PCr in the extracellular fluid of the seminal vesicles of mice is androgen-dependent, young adult mice (Swiss Webster, 6-7 wk old) were orchidectomized. Involution of the seminal vesicles following orchidectomy resulted in the total absence of SVF. Administration of testosterone propionate (TP) 2 wk later at a daily dose of 5 micrograms/g b.w. caused a rapid increase in the weights of seminal vesicle tissue (SVT) and SVF and also increased the concentration of PCr in SVF. The concentration of PCr in SVF increased rapidly from 3.0 mumol/g on Day 2 to a peak value of 11.1 +/- 0.5 mumol/g on Day 6. The increase in PCr concentration in SVF coincided with the enhanced rate of secretion of specific proteins by androgen-responsive epithelial cells. The creatine (Cr) concentration in SVF also increased from 12.6 mumol/g on Day 2 to 41.1 +/- 4.6 mumol/g on Day 8. The concentrations of PCr in SVF of TP-treated mice were about twice those in the age-matched intact controls. The concentrations of PCr and of Cr in SVT also increased from 1.1 +/- 0.5 mumol/g and 1.7 +/- 0.8 mumol/g, respectively, on Day 0 to the steady-state levels of 5.3 +/- 0.7 mumol/g and 14.8 +/- 2.7 mumol/g by Day 8. These results demonstrate that the accumulation of PCr in the fluid of mouse seminal vesicle is regulated by androgen.