Active and Inactive Renin in Human Seminal Plasma

Abstract

The occurrence of renin and renin substrate has been described in human seminal plasma. Mean levels of active and total renin were higher in seminal plasma than in normal male plasma (7.1 compared to 3.8 and 38.5 compared to 24.6 ng/ml/hr, respectively). The differences were not statistically significant. Renin substrate concentrations were very low compared to male plasma levels, which suggests that renin may function either in tissues of the male genital tract prior to secretion into the seminal plasma or may be important following ejaculation in the female genital tract.

Key Words:

• Active renin
• Seminal plasma
• Renin substrate
• Extrarenal renin