Identification of a transforming growth factor alpha-like molecule in human seminal plasma.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the putative seminal growth promoting factor serendipitously observed when human seminal plasma was analyzed for bioactive FSH.


METHODS
A pool of human seminal plasma was subjected to sequential Sephadex G-75 (superfine) chromatography and high-performance size exclusion liquid chromatography. The fractions were tested for mitogenic activity using a rat granulosa cell assay and normal rat kidney (NRK) cells. Properties of the factor were established and characterization by gel electrophoresis and neutralization with antibody were accomplished.


METHODS
Reproductive Biology Research Laboratory at McMaster University Medical Centre.


METHODS
Ability of purified fractions of human seminal plasma to augment the uptake of tritiated thymidine into cell DNA.


RESULTS
Mitogenic activity of human seminal plasma was augmented in the presence of FSH but not hCG, PRL, E2, T, P, or dihydrotestosterone. The putative growth factor synergized with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) but not with TGF-alpha. Mitogenic activity was neutralized by a specific TGF-alpha antibody in a dose-dependent manner. The molecular weight of the factor as assessed by gel electrophoresis is 6 kd.


CONCLUSIONS
Human seminal plasma contains a mitogen that is similar to TGF-alpha.
Yie
S M
SM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Lobb
D K
DK
Clark
D A
DA
Younglai
E V
EV
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
D006133:Growth Substances; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha