Publication Cover
Archives of Andrology
Journal of Reproductive Systems
Volume 32, 1994 - Issue 1
104
Views
13
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Adnexal Gland Secretion Markers in Unexplained Asthenozoospermia

, , , , , & show all
Pages 37-43 | Published online: 09 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen, and zinc as markers of prostate, and fructose as marker of seminal vesicles were investigated in the seminal plasma of 35 idiopathic asthenozoospermic and 20 normal subjects to evaluate their relationship with sperm motility. Total seminal plasma levels of the three prostatic markers and, to a lesser extent, total fructose levels were lower in asthenozoospermic patients, and in all the pooled subjects, the same levels were directly correlated with the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa. When the levels of the biochemical markers were expressed as concentrations in seminal plasma, only prostatic acid phosphatase levels remained lower in asthenozoospermic patients and they maintained a direct correlation with sperm motility in all the pooled subjects. The PAP/Zn/Fr (representing the ratio between PAP concentration and free Zn available for spermatozoan uptake) was lower in asthenozoospermic patients and it was also directly related to sperm motility in all the pooled subjects. These data suggest that altered sperm motility is associated with a probable impairment of sex accessory gland function in subjects with idiopathic asthenozoospermia, while prostatic acid phosphatase seems mainly related to sperm motility.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.