Tissue-type plasminogen activator level is decreased in human seminal plasma with abnormal liquefaction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine plasminogen activators (PAs) and PA inhibitor levels in seminal plasma of patients attending an infertility clinic.


METHODS
Quantification by immunologic method of PAs in seminal plasma.


METHODS
Patients of Department of Urology and Andrology, University Hospital, Nimes, France.


METHODS
Ninety-two men attending for assessment because of infertility.


METHODS
Semen were collected by masturbation. Usual sperm parameters were determined; immediately after liquefaction, samples were snap-frozen at -85 degrees C until used for immunologic determination.


METHODS
Tissue-type PA antigen, urokinase-type PA antigen, and type 1 PA inhibitor antigen levels in seminal plasma.


RESULTS
Median values of PA were 270 ng/mL (tissue-type PA) and 5.4 ng/mL (urokinase-type PA) in normozoospermia; 290 ng/mL (tissue-type PA) and 5.7 ng/mL (urokinase-type PA) in oligozoospermia; 325 ng/mL (tissue-type PA) and 3.5 ng/mL (urokinase-type PA) in oligoasthenozoospermia. Type 1 PA inhibitor antigen levels were often under detection limit. Tissue-type PA was 173.5 ng/mL in semen with abnormal liquefaction and 290 ng/mL in semen with normal liquefaction.


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirmed the presence of both types of PAs in seminal plasma, tissue-type PA being largely predominant. No difference was found in tissue-type PA, urokinase-type PA, or type 1 PA inhibitor antigen levels between normal and oligozoospermic semen nor between normal and asthenozoospermic semen. On the other hand, semen with abnormal liquefaction had significantly lower tissue-type PA level than normal semen.
Arnaud
A
A
Department of Haematology, University Hospital, Nimes, France.
Schved
J F
JF
Gris
J C
JC
Costa
P
P
Navratil
H
H
Humeau
C
C
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism*; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism
D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator