α, 1–4 Glucosidase Activity in Human Seminal Plasma from Normal, Vasectomized, and Subfertile Men

Abstract

Neutral α,1–4 glucosidase activity was assayed by a spectrophotometric method using p-nitro-phenyl-α-d-glucopyranoside as the substrate in the seminal plasma of normal, vasectomized, and oligospermic men. The latter groups showed lower values than the controls. These results suggest that the main source of the α, 1–4 glucosidase activity is between the vasectomy site and the tubule, and that the enzyme is related to sperm density or to a spermatogenesis factor.

Key Words:

• α,1–4 glucosidase
• Andrology
• Enzyme
• Infertility
• Seminal plasma