study of some enzymes in the seminal plasma of infertile males

ABSTRACT

Quantitation of enzymatic activity of alpha-glucosidase, N- acetyl- beta-glucosaminidase [NAG], beta-glucuronidase, lactate dehydrogenase and phospholipase-A2 was performed for 18 oligozoospermic, 28 azoospermic and 15 normospermic males. The study revealed significant decrement of alpha-glucosidase and phospholipase-A2 in both oligo- and azoospermic subjects compared with controls. The decreased activity was significantly marked in azoospermic subjects. NAG activity levels were insignificantly decreased in oligo- and azoospermic males in comparison with control normospermic subjects. Lactate dehydrogenase was decreased in both oligo- and azoospermic males, but the difference was significant only in azoospermic patients. Beta- glucuronidase appears to be secreted by the epididymis and the activity present in azoospermic semen can provide information concerning the etiology of the azoospermia and the functional state of the epididymis. A2 activity correlated significantly with sperm concentration [r = 0.5 and P <0.01]. The enzyme in seminal plasma seems not only to be derived from spermatozoa but also from the prostate gland and/or seminal vesicle gland. In a similar manner lactate dehydrogenase total activity in seminal plasma is derived from testicles and spermatozoa together with prostate gland and the seminal vesicles. Therefore, enzymatic measurements in seminal plasma are valuable in studying male infertility. The enzymes of special value are alpha- glucosidase, lactate dehydrogenase and phospholipase-A2