Testicle, hyaluronidase

The HA polysaccharide chain undergoes degradation by endoglucanase (hyaluronidase) and exoglucanase (beta-glucouronidase and beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase). The testicle hyaluronidases decompose polysaccharides with a hydrolysis of the glycoside bond to tetra-, octa- and other saccharides. 

The properties of the hyaluronidase in human synovial fluid have been compared with those of hyaluronidases from human sera and bovine testicles. The pH optimum, molecular size, action pattern, substrate specificity, e/c., of the... 

The presence of hyaluronic acid in the synovial fluid is of particular interest because of its possible involvement in rheumatoid conditions. The reported benefit of treating arthritic patients with salts of glucuronic acid (169, 328) may be connected with this polysaccharide in some obscure way. In the synovial fluid hyaluronic acid is combined with proteins, three of which, albumin, p- and y-seroglobulin, have been found present (158). This protein-polysaccharide complex is characterized by a high viscosity which is believed due largely to the polysaccharide (367). When it was split by hyaluronidase obtained from any of its various sources (certain bacteria, testicle, sperm, skin, cornea, etc.), the viscosity dropped to almost that of water and progressively less cohesive materials could be precipitated by addition of acetic acid. This reduction in viscosity took place in... 

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