Serine protease activity in boar seminal vesicles and its immunological similarity to sperm acrosin

A mouse monoclonal antibody against boar acrosin and antiserum prepared to highly purified acrosin in female rabbits were used to detect the antigen in various fluids and tissues of boars using an indirect immunofluorescence technique. A strong reaction was found in fluid and epithelial tissue of the seminal vesicles as well as in the germinal cells in the testis. No immunoreactivity was detected in tissues of the epididymides and other organs of the boar. The antigens present in seminal vesicle fluid of boars were partially purified by column chromatography. It was demonstrated that two antigens differing in molecular mass were present and both possessed protease and amidase activity