Introduction and Summary

Lipase activity has been demonstrated by improved techniques in the interstitial tissue as well as in the seminiferous elements of the rat testis. The distribution of lipids in the testis has been studied histochenuically. It is seen that both the distribution of the enzyme as well as the substrate follow a definite l)arahlel pattern in four different phases. The physiological significance of this enzyme (w-hich is present in quite large concentrations in the interstitium as well as germinal elensents) in the metabolism of (he testis and the sperms, is thus revealed. INTROI)UCTION The presence of lipids in the interstitial tissue as well as the seminiferous tubules in the verte-bra(c testis is well known (Montagna, 1952; Melanupy and Cavazos, 1954). As early as 1928, Oslund reviewed (he literature on the periodic accunsulations amid the discharge of lipids in the interstitial tissue of (he testes of fishes, amphib-ians, birds, and seasonal nsammals. Several others have studied (he seasonal changes in the lipid constents of (he testis with respect to sper-matogenesis in various vertebrates and also with reference to the behavioral pattern of thes