INFLUENCE OF ANNUAL CYCLE ON THE ACID PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY IN CERTAIN ENDOCRINE GLANDS OF HEDGEHOG, HEMIECHINUS AURITUS COLLARIS (GRAY)

The seasonal fluctuations in the activities of acid phosphatase in the adrenal, thyroid and the testis during the course of the annual breeding cycle of hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus collaris (Gray) have been described. The study suggests that a strong, localized and granular acid phosphatase reaction occur in these glands during active phase of the cycle; this probably suggests that the enzyme is actively engaged in synthesis or transport of materials. The diffused and comparatively weaker reaction during inactive phase indicate that the enzyme is not actively used. These variations in the enzymatic reactions seems to be correlated with the state of glands during the active and inactive sexual phases of the animal