Objective markers of condom failure.
BACKGROUND
Studies of condom efficacy rely on self-reported behavior. Objective markers of exposure to semen may provide a more valid assessment of condom failure and failure to use condoms.


OBJECTIVE
To compare three semen biomarkers: acid phosphatase (AP) activity, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and the human seminal plasma antigen (MHS-5).


METHODS
Twenty women were intravaginally inoculated with six measured, increasingly larger amounts of their partners' semen. Vaginal fluid was collected by the participant using swabs and tested.


RESULTS
Background levels of PSA were low (0.00-1.25 ng/ml), background levels of AP were variable (0-350 U/l), and all preinoculation samples were negative for MHS-5. All postinoculation samples were positive for PSA, 64 of 117 (55%) for AP, and 14 of 120 (12%) for MHS-5.


CONCLUSIONS
The PSA immunoassay was the best semen biomarker under these sampling and testing conditions.
Lawson
M L
ML
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-2170, USA.
Maculuso
M
M
Bloom
A
A
Hortin
G
G
Hammond
K R
KR
Blackwell
R
R
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D017280:Condoms / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D014621:Vagina
D015415:Biomarkers; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen