Transferrin in seminal plasma and in serum of men: its correlation with sperm quality and hormonal status

Transferrin concentrations in the seminal plasma and in serum were measured and correlated with sperm quality (concentration, motility and morphology) and hormonal status (FSH, LH and testosterone) of 75 men aged from 21 to 46 years. A significant positive correlation was found between the seminal plasma concentration of transferrin and the sperm concentration (r = 0.69, P less than 0.0001) and motility (r = 0.39, P less than 0.0001). No other correlations were found. These data confirm that seminal plasma levels of transferrin can be used as a reliable index of sperm quality, and possibly as a Sertoli cell marker.