Seminal plasma anti-Müllerian hormone level correlates with semen parameters but does not predict success of testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

AIM: To assess seminal plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level relationships in fertile and infertile males. METHODS: Eighty-four male cases were studied and divided into four groups: fertile normozoospermia (n = 16), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (n = 15), obstructive azoospermia (OA) (n = 13) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) (n = 40). Conventional semen analysis was done for all cases. Testicular biopsy was done with histopathology and fresh tissue examination for testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in NOA cases. NOA group was subdivided according to TESE results into unsuccessful TESE (n = 19) and successful TESE (n = 21). Seminal plasma AMH was estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) was estimated in NOA cases only by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS: Mean seminal AMH was significantly higher in fertile group than in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia with significance (41.5 +/- 10.9 pmol/L vs. 30.5 +/- 10.3 pmol/L, P < 0.05). Seminal AMH was not detected in any OA patients. Seminal AMH was correlated positively with testicular volume (r = 0.329, P = 0.005), sperm count (r = 0.483, P = 0.007), sperm motility percent (r = 0.419, P = 0.021) and negatively with sperm abnormal forms percent (r = -0.413, P = 0.023). Nonsignificant correlation was evident with age (r = -0.155, P = 0.414) and plasma FSH (r = -0.014, P = 0.943). In NOA cases, seminal AMH was detectable in 23/40 cases, 14 of them were successful TESE (57.5%) and was undetectable in 17/40 cases, 10 of them were unsuccessful TESE (58.2%). CONCLUSION: Seminal plasma AMH is an absolute testicular marker being absent in all OA cases. However, seminal AMH has a poor predictability for successful testicular sperm retrieval in NOA cases.     

精浆左旋肉碱与精子密度、活力和活动率关系的研究

目的:研究精浆中左旋肉碱浓度与精子密度、活力和活动率的相关性,探讨肉碱在男性不育发病中的作用。方法:分别选取精液常规检查结果为正常、少精、弱精和少弱精的不育患者12、16、20、16例,以液相色谱-质谱/质谱联用技术检测精浆中左旋肉碱浓度,以化学发光免疫分析法检测精浆中睾酮浓度,结果以SPSS15.0行双变量相关分析分析精浆中肉碱浓度与精子密度、活力和活动率的相关性,并以精浆睾酮浓度为控制变量行肉碱与精子密度的偏相关分析。结果:共有64例患者纳入研究,精浆中总肉碱浓度、游离肉碱浓度及酰基肉碱浓度分别为(91.33±40.49)mg/L、(40.89±24.13)mg/L、(50.44±21.90)mg/L;双变量相关分析结果为精浆中总肉碱浓度与精子密度、活力和活动率的相关系数分别为0.637(P<0.001),0.161(P=0.235),0.114(P=0.370),去除少精组后游离肉碱与活力和活动率的相关系数分别为0.325(P=0.024)和0.316(P=0.029);偏相关分析结果显示在剔除睾酮影响后的精子密度与肉碱的相关性仍有显著统计学意义(r=0.641,P<0.001)。结论:精浆中肉碱浓度与精子密度和活力呈正相关,其中与密度的相关性更明显。     

Assessment of seminal plasma laminin in fertile and infertile men

Aim： To assess laminin levels in the seminal plasma of infertile and fertile men, and to analyze the correlation of laminin levels with sperm count, age, sperm motility and semen volume. Methods： One hundred and twenty-five recruited men were equally divided into five groups according to their sperm concentration and clinical examination： fertile normozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, non-obstructive azoospermia （NOA）, obstructive azoospermia （OA） and congenital bilateral absent vas deferens （CBAVD）. The patients＇ medical history was investigated and patients underwent clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma laminin by radioimmunoassay. Results： Seminal plasma laminin levels of successive groups were： 2.82 ± 0.62, 2.49 ± 0.44, 1.77 ± 0.56, 1.72 ± 0.76, 1.35 ± 0.63 U/mL, respectively. The fertile normozoospermic group showed the highest concentration compared to all infertile groups with significant differences compared to azoospermic groups （P 〈 0.05）. Testicular contribution was estimated to be approximately one-third of the seminal laminin. Seminal plasma laminin demonstrated significant correlation with sperm concentration （r = 0.460, P 〈 0.001） and nonsignificant correlation with age （r = 0.021, P = 0.940）, sperm motility percentage （r = 0.142, P = 0.615） and semen volume （r = 0.035, P = 0.087）. Conelusion： Seminal plasma laminin is derived mostly from prostatic and testicular portions and minimally from the seminal vesicle and vas deferens. Estimating seminal laminin alone is not conclusive in diagnosing different cases of male infertility.     

Alpha-glucosidase in the human epididymis: topographic distribution and clinical application

Alpha-glucosidase activity (EC.3.2.1.20) is present in human seminal plasma, and the neutral form of the enzyme originates almost exclusively from the epididymis. In this study, the specific immunocytochemical location of alpha-glucosidase in the human epididymis was evaluated using a polyclonal antibody. Furthermore, a spectrophotometric assay was employed to assess epididymal obstruction in infertile patients. The enzymatic activity of alpha-glucosidase free of prostate isoform (AGFPI) was determined spectrophotometrically at 405 nm. According to AGFPI activity, patients with leucocytospermia, oligozoospermia and azoospermia were recorded as having normal values or low values indicating epididymal obstruction. Specific immunochemistry staining was demonstrated in the cytoplasmic cells at the epithelial level, in the transition area and in the efferent ducts. The values of the three groups and the control were as follows (mean +/- SEM): normozoospermia (control): 20.2 +/- 1.4 mU ml(-1); azoospermia: normal value: 17.6 +/- 2.2 mU ml(-1), low value: 7.4 +/- 1.8 mU ml(-1); oligozoospermia: normal value: 22.3 +/- 2.5 mU ml(-1), low value: 7.3 +/- 0.7 mU ml(-1); leucocytospermia: increase value: 38.9 +/- 3.7 mU ml(-1), low value: 11.1 +/-1.3 mU ml(-1). This study suggests that determination of alpha-glucosidase might be helpful to evaluate functions of the epididymis and particularly to exclude epididymal obstruction.     

精浆催乳素浓度与精子计数、活动率的关系

对107例男性进行精液分析并测定其精浆催乳素(PRL)浓度,精子活动率和精子密度正常男性的精浆PRL为11.53±5.36ng/ml,与精子活动率正常而少精子的男性相比(13.06±4.62ng/ml),两组间无显著性差异(t=0.91,t>0.2);而精子密度正常、正常精子活率组和低活率组相比,低活率组的精浆PRL水平(17.24 ±5.86ng/ml)明显增高(t=4.15,P<0.001).相关分析表明精浆PRL与精子活动率呈负相关(r=-0.38,P<0.001);与精子密度亦呈负相关(r=-0.37,P<0.001).49例受试者取精液前抽血测定血清PRL水平,精浆PRL水平与血清PRL无关(r=0.204,P>0.1).     

精浆游离L-肉毒碱水平及其与精子密度、活动率及活力的相关性研究

目的:研究正常生育及不育男性精浆中游离L-肉毒碱水平差异及其与精子密度、活动率(a+b+c级精子百分率)及活力(a+b级精子百分率)之间的相关性,探讨精浆中游离L-肉毒碱水平对男性生育力的影响及其在不育症检查和治疗中的作用。方法:分别采用高效液相色谱法和计算机辅助精液分析系统,测定了230例不育症患者(精子密度正常117例,少精子症81例,无精子症32例)和30例正常生育男性精浆中游离L-肉毒碱水平及精子密度、活动率、活力等参数。根据检查结果对不育症患者分组后,以SPSS12.0软件包进行统计学分析,比较各组间游离L-肉毒碱水平的差异以及游离L-肉毒碱水平与精子密度、活动率、活力之间的相关性。结果:正常生育组精浆游离L-肉毒碱水平明显高于不育组(P<0.01)。精液中精子密度越低、活力越弱,这种差异性越显著。相关性分析结果显示,精浆游离L-肉毒碱水平与精子密度呈显著正相关关系(r=0.521,P<0.01),与精子活动率和活力之间也具有正相关关系(r=0.319,P<0.01;r=0.251,P<0.01)。结论:精浆L-肉毒碱水平与精子密度、活动率和活力之间密切相关,其含量测定作为一项有用的生化指标,可为男性不育症检查及临床诊治和进行有关男性生殖功能机制研究提供参考。     

不育男性抗苗勒管激素与生殖激素及精液质量参数关系的研究

目的探讨男性不育患者精浆和血清抗苗勒管激素(AMH)与血清生殖激素及精液参数之间关系。方法选取2018年9～12月于我院生殖中心就诊的男性不育患者107例,按照《世界卫生组织人类精液检查与处理实验室手册(第五版)》操作规范检测精液体积、精子浓度、前向运动精子(PR)百分比、精子顶体酶、精子DNA完整性、正常形态精子率,根据精液参数分为4组:少精子症组(n=15)、弱精子症组(n=26)、少弱精子组(n=31)、正常精子组(n=35),比较各组患者精浆和血清AMH及血清FSH、LH、催乳素(PRL)、T、E2之间的差异,并对精浆和血清AMH与生殖激素及精液参数的相关性进行统计分析。结果弱精子症组血清AMH水平高于其他3组,但各组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);正常精子组精浆AMH水平[中位数(四分位距)]为1.28(7.71)ng/ml,显著高于少精子症组[0.11(1.26)ng/ml]和少弱精子组[0.16(2.15)ng/ml](P<0.05)。相关性分析显示,血清AMH与生殖激素及精液参数不存在相关(P>0.05);精浆AMH与血清FSH、LH呈负相关(P&...     

生育及不育男性血清及精浆抑制素-B水平分析

目的 :探讨生育及不育男性血清及精浆抑制素 B(inhibinB ,INHB)水平是否存在差异 ,了解血清及精浆INHB水平与精子发生的关系。　方法 :生育组 (n =2 0 )、少精子症组 (n =2 0 )、弱精子症组 (n =2 2 )和非阻塞性无精子症 (NOA)组 (n =2 0 )男性于上午 8∶0 0～ 10∶0 0留取精液和血液标本 ,进行精液常规分析 ,血清INHB、FSH、LH、T含量 ,精浆INHB、酸性磷酸酶、果糖、α 葡糖苷酶含量和活性测定。　结果 :血清、精浆INHB水平与血FSH均呈显著负相关 (r =- 0 .5 36 ,P <0 .0 0 1vsr =- 0 .2 88,P =0 .0 1) ,血清、精浆INHB水平与精子密度均呈显著正相关 (r=0 .49,P <0 .0 0 1vsr =0 .48,P <0 .0 0 1) ,血清INHB水平在生育组男性与少精子症组、NOA组男性间(分别为P <0 .0 5和P <0 .0 1)、弱精子症组与NOA组男性间 (P <0 .0 1)及少精子症组与NOA组男性间 (P <0 .0 5 )差异均有显著性 ,而精浆INHB变动范围较大 ,其水平仅在生育组男性与NOA组男性间及弱精子症组与NOA组男性间差异有显著性 (分别为P <0 .0 1和P <0 .0 5 )。精浆INHB水平与精浆α 葡糖苷酶活性呈正相关 (r=0 .377,P =0 .0 0 1)。血清INHB水平与精浆INHB水平间无相关性。　结论 :血清、精浆INHB水平均可反映睾丸的精子发生情况 ,精浆INHB水平还与     

Effect of smoking on seminal plasma ascorbic acid in infertile and fertile males

This work aimed to assess the relationship of seminal ascorbic acid levels with smoking in infertile males. One hundred and seventy men were divided into four groups: nonobstructive azoospermia [NOA: smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; oligoasthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 30), nonsmokers (n = 20)]; asthenozoospermia [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)] and normozoospermic fertile men [smokers (n = 20), nonsmokers (n = 20)]. The patients underwent medical history, clinical examination, conventional semen analysis and estimation of ascorbic acid in the seminal plasma calorimetrically. There was a significant decrease in the mean seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels in smokers versus nonsmokers in all groups (mean +/- SD; 6.03 +/- 2.18 versus 6.62 +/- 1.29, 7.81 +/- 1.98 versus 9.44 +/- 2.15, 8.09 +/- 1.98 versus 9.95 +/- 2.03, 11.32 +/- 2.15 versus 12.98 +/- 12.19 mg dl(-1) respectively). Fertile subjects, smokers or not, demonstrated significant higher seminal ascorbic acid levels than any infertile group. Seminal plasma ascorbic acid in smokers and nonsmokers was correlated significantly with sperm concentration (r = 0.59, 0.60, P < 0.001), sperm motility (r = 0.65, 0.55, P < 0.001) and negatively with sperm abnormal forms per cent (r = -0.53, -0.50, P < 0.001). Nonsignificant correlations were elicited with semen volume (r = 0.2, 0.09) or liquefaction time (r = 0.03, 0.06). It is concluded that seminal plasma ascorbic acid decreased significantly in smokers and infertile men versus nonsmokers and fertile men, and is significantly correlated with the main sperm parameters: count, motility and normal morphology. Also, cigarette smoking is associated with reduced semen main parameters that could worsen the male fertilizing potential, especially in borderline cases.     

Beta-endorphin in serum and seminal plasma in infertile men

Aim:To access beta-endorphin levels in serum as well as seminal plasma in different infertile male groups.Methods:Beta-endorphin was estimated in the serum and seminal plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method in 80 infertile men equally divided into four groups:non-obstructive azoospermia(NOA),obstructive azoosper-mia(OA),congenital bilateral absent vas deferens(CBVAD)and asthenozoospermia.The results were compared tothose of 20 normozoospermic proven fertile men.Results:There was a decrease in the mean levels of beta-endorphin in the seminal plasma of all successive infertile groups(mean±SD:NOA 51.30±27.37,OA 51.88±9.47,CBAVD 20.36±13.39,asthenozoospermia 49.26±12.49 pg/mL,respectively)compared to the normozoospermicfertile control(87.23±29.55 pg/mL).This relation was not present in mean serum level of beta-endorphin betweenfour infertile groups(51.09±14.71,49.76±12.4,33.96±7.2,69.1±16.57 pg/mL,respectively)and the fertilecontrol group(49.26±31.32 pg/mL).The CBVAD group showed the lowest seminal plasma mean level of beta-endorphin.Testicular contribution of seminal beta-endorphin was estimated to be approximately 40%.Seminal beta-endorphin showed significant correlation with the sperm concentration(r=0.699,P=0.0188)and nonsignificantcorrelation with its serum level(r=0.375,P=0.185)or with the sperm motility percentage(r=0.470,P=0.899).Conclusion:The estimation of beta-endorphin alone is not conclusive to evaluate male reproduction as there aremany other opiates acting at the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.(Asian J Androl 2006 Nov;8:709-712)     

The value of epididymal protease inhibitor in differential diagnosis between obstructive azoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia

There are no efficient and noninvasive clinical tests to distinguish between obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Epididymal protease inhibitor (Eppin) protein is secreted specifically by testes and epididymides in male reproductive system. It does not exist in seminal plasma of patients with OA in theory. The seminal plasma from 40 normal men and 46 azoospermic patients was detected via Western blot for investigating the presence and characteristics of Eppin protein to distinguish between OA and NOA. The cases were diagnosed as NOA whether Eppin in seminal plasma was positive via Western blot analysis. The cases were diagnosed as OA when samples were Eppin-negative. Additionally, percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and percutaneous testicular sperm aspiration (PTSA) were performed on these patients at the same time as the diagnostic criteria to compare with Western blot analysis. Eppin detection in seminal plasma showed similar effectivity with PESA/PTSA in differential diagnosis between OA and NOA. Compared with PESA/PTSA, Eppin detection is a new, efficient and noninvasive method which has good clinical application.     

不育病人精浆胆固醇酯转运蛋白的检测

目的 :检测不育病人精浆胆固醇酯转运蛋白 (cholesterolestertransferprotein ,CETP)的含量 ,并探讨其与不育的关系。　方法 :随机选择 163例不育病人及 15例生育男性 ,行精液常规分析及精浆CETP浓度测定 ,其中5 5例不育病人同时测定了血清CETP含量。　结果 :不育病人及生育男性精浆CETP含量分别为 ( 2 .2 1± 1.2 3 )μg/L和 ( 1.40± 0 .45 ) μg/L ,两组间差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;在不育病人中 ,无精子症组 (n =2 9)、少弱精子症组(n =5 8)、少精子症组 (n =15 )、弱精子症组 (n =44 )及正常精子症组 (n =17)间CETP含量差异也无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。精浆平均CETP含量仅占血清的 1/ 10 0 0 ,不育病人精浆及其血清CETP含量间并无相关性 (r =0 .0 0 9,P>0 .0 5 )。　结论 :精浆CETP含量极低 ,与精子密度、活率的改变无关 ,可能保证了精子在未进入女性生殖道前膜结构与功能的完整性     

Fibrinolytic parameters in spermatozoas and seminal plasma

Urokinase-type (u-PA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA) as well as plasminogen activator-inhibitor activity were determined in seminal plasma and lysates of the respective spermatozoas in 67 ejaculate of males in infertile marriage without genito urinary pathology. U-PA was determined by a competition RIA, t-PA by an ELISA and PAI by a spectrophotometric assay. 15 patients showed normozoospermia, 11 azoospermia and 41 oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT-syndrome). In lysates of spermatozoas, significantly higher levels of both plasminogenactivators and PAI were found in patients with OAT syndrome as compared to those exhibiting normozoospermia. Whereas PAI was absent in the seminal plasma of normozoospermic ejaculate, patients with azoospermia (180 +/- 13 mU/ml.) and OAT-syndrome (60 +/- 5 mU/ml.) showed high PAI levels. The similarly high values of t-PA (190.8-227.8 ng./ml.) and u-PA (19.4-32 ng./ml.) in the same compartment confirm their predominantly prostatic origin and seem to have no influence on the quality of the ejaculate.     

Investigation of Flow Behaviour (Viscosity) from Human Seminal Fluid with a Rotational Viscosimeter

Flow behaviour of human seminal fluid was studied with a rotational viscometer (Rotoviso RV 100 with low shear sensor CV 100 made by Haake Karlsruhe) regarding normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, azoospermia and initially prolongated liquefaction time. Measurement is done according to DIN 53018 (procedure) and DIN 53019 (evaluation) and viscosity is given in millipascal seconds (mPas). At a shear rate of 90 s-1 the absolute viscosity n is 7.86 +/- 5.51 mPas (n = 104); without the initial viscous ejaculate (n = 23) viscosity n at 90 s-1 was 5.55 +/- 1.71 mPas (n = 81). Within the group of viscous ejaculates the average viscosity is distinctly higher than the one in the group of normal ejaculates. In both groups there is no correlation between number of spermatozoa and viscosity and motility and viscosity. A reason for the different flow behaviour is not yet found.     

Possible relationship between seminal plasma inhibin B and spermatogenesis in patients with azoospermia

Inhibin B is bidirectionally secreted by Sertoli cells, basal secretion into the circulation exerts negative feedback on follicle-stimulating hormone secretion, and serum inhibin B is considered a marker of spermatogenesis. The precise role of apical secretion is unknown. The objective of our work was to study the relationship between seminal inhibin B and spermatogenesis. Dimeric inhibin B was measured by immunoassay in seminal plasma of volunteers with normozoospermia (n = 10, group 1), in men after vasectomy (n = 10, group 2), and in men with azoospermia (n = 50, group 3). Testicular biopsy and testicular sperm extraction were performed in men with azoospermia. Seminal inhibin B levels were higher in men in group 1 than in men in groups 2 and 3 (P <.0001). In seminal plasma, inhibin B presents a positive correlation with alpha glucosidase activity (r =.37, P =.002). Seminal inhibin B is inversely related with serum FSH (r = -.58, P <.001), and presents a weak positive correlation with serum testosterone concentration (r =.29, P =.03). No difference was found between inhibin B levels in seminal plasma of patients with nonobstructive or obstructive azoospermia, and between positive or negative outcome of TESE. We conclude that inhibin B secretion by Sertoli cells is differentially regulated. The contribution of accessory sex glands limits the use of seminal plasma inhibin B as a marker of spermatogenesis.     

Seminal lactate dehydrogenase C4 (LDH-C4) isozyme activity in infertile men

Lactate dehydrogenase C4 (LDH-C4) is the specific isozyme of LDH produced by germ cells. We measured LDH-C4 activity in seminal plasma from infertile men with oligozoospermia or azoospermia using gel electrophoresis. Total LDH activity in seminal plasma from infertile patients (n = 99) was 2,487 +/- 1,384 IU/l (mean +/- SD). LDH-C4 isozyme activity was detected in 63 out of 75 seminal plasma samples from infertile patients with a mean of 383 +/- 356 IU/l (13.8 +/- 8.6% of total LDH). Sperm count was positively correlated with LDH-C4 (r = 0.298; P < 0.05), but not with any other LDH isozymes or with total LDH. Seminal LDH-C4 was significantly lower in patients with varicoceles (253 +/- 223 IU/l) than without varicoceles (474 +/- 262 IU/l). Six azoospermia patients were treated with hCG and hMG. Three out of four patients whose seminal plasma revealed LDH-C4 activity responded to the treatment, whereas none of the other two patients without seminal LDH-C4 activity did. These results indicate the clinical usefulness of seminal LDH-C4 as a potential marker for seminal epithelium activity in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.     

Seminal plasma transferrin concentration in idiopathic oligozoospermia

To investigate whether or not transferrin production is decreased in the testis of idiopathic oligozoospermia, the seminal plasma transferrin concentration was measured and the values were compared in two groups (15 men of pregnancy-proved normozoospermia and 22 patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia). Seminal plasma transferrin concentration in the pregnancy-proved normozoospermic group was 78.5 +/- 37.9 micrograms/mL, and the concentration in the patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia was 44.4 +/- 37.6 micrograms/mL. There was a significant difference between them (P less than 0.01). The patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia could be divided into two subgroups according to seminal plasma transferrin concentration and serum gonadotropin levels. One group had high transferrin levels with elevated serum gonadotropin levels. The results indicate that the determination of seminal plasma transferrin concentration is one of the useful parameters for evaluation of testicular function and also suggest that additional studies may allow for the subdivision of the patients with so-called idiopathic oligozoospermia.     

Heme oxygenase enzyme activity in seminal plasma of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic males with varicocele

This work aimed to assess seminal plasma heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme activity in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) males with varicocele. Ninety‐three men were divided according to their sperm count and clinical examination into: healthy fertile controls (n = 34), OAT without varicocele (n = 37) and OAT associated with varicocele (n = 22). They were subjected to semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma HO enzyme activity in the form of bilirubin concentration. Seminal plasma HO enzyme activity decreased significantly in OAT cases compared with controls. Seminal plasma HO in OAT cases associated with varicocele decreased significantly compared with OAT cases without varicocele and healthy controls (mean ± SD; 109.2 ± 29.5, 283.6 ± 88.4, 669.5 ± 236.1 nMol bilirubin/mg ptn/min, P < 0.001). There was positive correlation between seminal plasma HO enzyme activity and sperm concentration, per cent of motile spermatozoa, number of motile spermatozoas ml^?1 and significant negative correlation with sperm abnormal forms per cent. It is concluded that varicocele has a negative impact on seminal HO enzyme activity. Therefore, improved seminal picture after correcting varicocele repair might be related, in part, to improved HO action(s).     

精浆和血清生殖激素与精液质量的关系

目的为了评估精液质量不同的男性精浆和血清生殖激素的浓度与精子浓度及活动力的关系,探索精浆与血清生殖激素的关系。方法对301名男性进行精液检查,按照精液的质量参数将受试对象分成4组:精液正常组(n=176),弱精子症组(n=66),少精子症组(n=40)和非梗阻性无精子症组(n=19)。采用电化学发光免疫法测定各组受试对象血清卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、泌乳素(PRL)、孕酮(P)、睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)六项生殖激素和精浆PRL、T、P和E2四项生殖激素的浓度,比较组间差异并进行相关性分析。结果精液正常组和弱精子症组血清FSH和E2的浓度显著低于少精子症组和非梗阻性无精子症组(P0.05),精液正常组血清LH和P的浓度显著低于弱精子症、少精子症和非梗阻性无精子症的人群(P0.05);而精液正常、弱精子症和少精子症三组精浆PRL的浓度则高于非梗阻性无精子症组(P0.05)。除了非梗阻性无精子症组,受试者血清FSH的浓度与其精子浓度呈负相关(r分别为-0.350、-0.273和-0.448,P0.05)。精液正常组精浆PRL的浓度和精子的浓度之间呈正相关(r=0.269,P0.05);在少精子症组中,亦有相同趋势的相关性(r=0.432,P0.05)。结论精浆PRL及血清FSH的浓度能够反映精子浓度或活动力,在男性不育的病因分析中具有一定的指导价值。     

Amidolytic activities and prostate-specific antigen in human seminal plasma.

The amounts of protein measured by absorbance at 280 nm, succinyl-L-alanyl-L-alanyl-L-prolyl-L-leucine-p-nitroanilide (Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA), D-valyl-cyclohexyl-alanyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (Val-CHA-Arg-pNA), and glutamyl-L-phenylalanine-p-nitroanilide (Glu-Phe-pNA) amidolytic activities, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured in human seminal plasma (HSP) samples separated from the semen of 46 cases, including 13 cases of azoospermia and 33 cases of normozoospermia showing either good or poor quality of liquefaction. There was a highly significant correlation between the concentrations of all amidolytic enzyme activities studied and the concentration of PSA in HSP samples (p<.01). The HSP sample volume showed a relatively good negative coefficient of correlation to all items measured (p<.01) with the exception of protein concentration. The Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA, Val-CHA-Arg-pNA, and Glu-Phe-pNA amidolytic activities in azoospermia HSP samples were 2.33. 1.68, and 1.43 times higher, respectively, than those of normozoospermia samples showing good quality liquefaction. After the addition of morphologically purified human sperm to HSP sample of azoospermia cases, the Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-pNA amidolytic activity in the HSP sample of azoospermia was not decreased for up to 18 h incubation, while the number of motile human sperm gradually declined, and no motile human sperm were detected after 18 h of incubation. The high Suc-Ala-AlaPro-Leu-pNA amidolytic activity in HSP samples of azoospermia cases did not result from a lack of motility.