title: Cortisol and transcortin in human seminal plasma and amniotic fluid as estimated by modern specific assays.
abstract: Cortisol concentrations in human seminal plasma, as estimated by the very specific Amersham 'Amerlite' luminescence immunoassay, were 176 +/- 43 (85-260) nmol/l, that is, 63.7 +/- 15.5 (31-94) ng/ml (mean +/- SD, n = 21). This is about 60% of random levels in blood serum and is the first description of cortisol in seminal fluid. In human amniotic fluid at 16-22 weeks of gestation, cortisol concentrations were lower, at 72.6 +/- 14.6 (63-124) nmol/l, that is, 29.3 +/- 5.3 (23-45) ng/ml (n = 21). Concentrations were about 15% of random maternal serum levels in the second trimester of pregnancy. The cortisol concentrations in both fluids were considerably higher than those reported for saliva, which has a mean of about 10 nmol/l. Transcortin (corticosteroid binding globulin, CBG), has been found in human seminal plasma and amniotic fluid for the first time. Concentrations were low, with values up to 12 micrograms/ml, with no significant difference between the two fluids, when using the IRE-Megenix monoclonal iodinated radioimmunoassay. Transcortin concentrations were about 10% of levels in non-pregnant blood serum, compared with about 0.1% for saliva. The higher concentrations of transcortin could perhaps account for the greater diffusion of cortisol into seminal plasma and amniotic fluid. The presence of beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol in amniotic fluid, seminal fluid, ovarian follicular fluid, endometrial fluid and gastric fluid may possibly, indicate the existence of a small paracrine ACTH-cortisol axis in the relevant secretory tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, Sterility and Family Planning, Klinikum Steglitz, Free University, Berlin-West/Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brotherton
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D014156:Transcortin / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D014156:Transcortin; D006854:Hydrocortisone