Metabolism of Bovine Semen. VII. Pyruvate-Alanine Conversion

Conversion of pyruvate to alanine and the reverse reaction have been demonstrated in dialyzed extracts of bovine spermatozoa and of seminal plasma, and in intact washed spermatozoa. Using washed spermatozoa, substituting Ringer phosphate-glyeine for Ringer phosphate, results in an increase in alanine and a decrease in pyruvate. It is suggested that the glycine-containing buffer forces the transamination reaction glyeine + pyrnvate ~ alanme + glyoxylate to the right, and that this reaction accounts for the reduced accmnulation of lactate in dilnents containing gIycine.