Acid glycosidases in the isthmus of the hen oviduct and egg shell membranes.

Specific activities of seven acid glycosidases: beta-hexosaminidase, alpha- and beta-galactosidase, alpha- and beta-mannosidase, alpha-glucosidase and alpha-fucosidase were determined in various parts of the domestic hen oviduct (infundibulum, isthmus, shell gland and vagina). The activity of most enzymes was the highest in the isthmus. Multiple forms of all acid glycosidases from the isthmus were separated by strong anion exchange chromatography at pH 6.0. The isoelectric points of the isthmus forms of beta-hexosaminidase, beta-galactosidase and alpha- and beta-mannosidase were determined by chromatofocusing. For the first time the high beta-galactosidase activity was found in hen egg shell membranes.