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Ergothioneine in the Equine Ampullar Secretion

Nature volume 174, pages 404–405 (1954)Cite this article

Abstract

A STRIKING feature of semen and of the reproductive organs in mammals is the diversity in chemical composition and secretory function encountered among different species1. Recent studies on the occurrence of ergothioneine provide a good example of this behaviour. This sulphur-containing nitrogenous base, which has been isolated in a crystalline state from the boar vesicular secretion2 and which has been shown to be capable of protecting spermatozoa against the spermicidal action of sulphydryl-binding substances3, is present in large quantities in the semen of the boar but not in the semen of man, bull, ram or rabbit.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Naples,

    E. LEONE

  2. Molteno Institute, University of Cambridge,

    E. LEONE

Authors
  1. E. LEONE
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LEONE, E. Ergothioneine in the Equine Ampullar Secretion. Nature 174, 404–405 (1954). https://doi.org/10.1038/174404b0

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