β-Endorphin and Calcitonin in Human Semen

Abstract

The levels of β-endorphin (β-E) and calcitonin were estimated in 36 samples of seminal plasma from semen of normospermic, oligozoospermic, and azoospermic origins and in pools of isolated sperm. The mean levels in plasma calculated for all samples examined were 192. ± 224 pg/ml for β-E and 754 ± 397 pg/ml for calcitonin. The amounts in sperm were as follows: for β-E in pols with sperm counts of 0.1–10 × 10⁶/ml, 157.2 ± 99.7 pg/10⁸ and 27.9 ± 23.6 pg/ml protein; in pols of > 10–30 × 10⁶/ml, 71.2 ± 41.5 pg/10⁸ and 6.5 ± 1.2 pg/mg protein; in pools of > 30–200 × 10⁶/ml, 24.9 ± 9.7 pg/10⁸ and 61 ± 1.9 pg/mg protein. For calcitonin the amounts were: 501.2 ± 170.8 pg/108 and 27.4 ± 21.5 pg/mg protein, correspondingly. It was suggested that β-E and calcitonin present in seminal plasma are synthesized mostly in a compartment of the male reproductive system. The high cellular β-E and calcitonin levels would be involved in the process of motility through their effect on calcium transport.

Key Words:

• β-endorphin
• Calcitonin
• Seminal plasma
• Sperm motility