Histochemical localization of phosphohydrolases in testes of man and rat

The distribution of various phosphohydrolases in testicular tissue of man and rat is investigated histochemically. Within the lamina propria (LP) of the seminiferous tubules of the rat, high activity of nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (AlPase) is found; such was not the case in the LP of human testicular tubules. On the other hand there is a weak to moderate activity of AlPase in the human germinal epithelium, but this is not found in the rat germinal epithelium. These results can be obtained both with azo-coupling and lead methods.