19-hydroxyprostaglandin-f and Infertility--Male

The levels of 19-hydroxy-prostaglandins F1 alpha/F2 alpha (PG F) in the semen of 19 vasectomized, 44 infertile and 8 fertile men were determined using a simple RIA technique. The mean concentrations observed in this survey were 45 micrograms/ml, 49.5 micrograms/ml and 59 micrograms/ml, respectively. No significant difference was recorded between the vasectomized and infertile groups; there were too few fertile samples available to undertake a meaningful statistical comparison. No reduction was observed in the levels of this PG in a liquid semen sample retained at room temperature over a 4 week period in the presence of a bacteriostat (sodium azide). However, a 30% reduction in the levels of 19-OH PG F occurred over the same time period when aliquots of the same semen sample were retained at either room temperature or at 4 degrees C without azide. Finally, no reduction was observed in the concentration of 19-OH PG F in a series of 10-microliters semen stains stored over a period of 6 weeks at room temperature.

Topics: Dinoprost; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Radioimmunoassay; Reference Values; Semen; Staining and Labeling; Vasectomy

The sensitivity of a simple radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the detection of 19-OH prostaglandin F1 alpha/F2 alpha (PG F) has been evaluated on a number of semen samples from vasectomized, infertile and fertile donors. The specificity of the test has been examined by testing saliva, sweat and urine from a number of male and female donors. The assay technique could readily detect the PG in semen stains prepared from 0.2 microliter of semen from normal, infertile and vasectomized donors. The detection limit of the assay system, based on the observed displacement, was calculated to be approximately 0.05 microliter semen. The assay could be conducted over a pH range of 7.5-10.5 even after the PG has been heated to 100 degrees C. The 19-OH series of PG were absent from sweat, saliva and female urine using the normal assay protocol; volumes in excess of 100 microliters of some urines particularly from women in labour and those with acute urinary tract infection showed some displacement. Low levels of PG were detected in 50% of the male urine analysed. However, urine samples from men who had engaged in recent sexual activity contained relatively high concentrations of PG which could be readily detected in 10 microliters of urine. These results emphasise the potential of these compounds as specific and sensitive markers for the presence of human semen.

Topics: Dinoprost; Female; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Radioimmunoassay; Reference Values; Saliva; Semen; Staining and Labeling; Sweat; Vaginal Smears; Vasectomy