Xylosyltransferase activity in seminal plasma of infertile men.
BACKGROUND
Proteoglycans play an important role during the mammalian conception process and are functionally involved in the preservation of the sperm motility and velocity. Human xylosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.26, XT) is the initial enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the glycosaminoglycan chains in proteoglycans. XT activity in body fluids was shown to be an indicator for the actual proteoglycan biosynthesis rate.


METHODS
Xylosyltransferase activity was determined in seminal plasma and serum samples of 50 healthy semen donors, 20 infertile men with oligo-, astheno- or teratozoospermia and men after vasectomy. For identification of the XT secreting glands split ejaculates were analyzed.


RESULTS
XT activity in seminal plasma samples of infertile men was significantly reduced (mean 1.53 mU/l, 90% range 0.95-2.52 mU/l, p<0.05) in comparison to healthy donors (mean 3.21 mU/l, 90% range 1.82-4.65 mU/l). The analysis of the fractionated ejaculates revealed that the highest XT activity was found in portions secreted by the seminal vesicle glands.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the increasing interest for in vitro fertilization, monitoring the seminal plasma XT activity of men with unexplained infertility is proposed to be an advantageous additional biochemical parameter that could be useful for improving the methods producing pregnancy in some couples.
Götting
Christian
C
Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstrasse 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. cgoetting@hdz-nrw.de
Kuhn
Joachim
J
Brinkmann
Thomas
T
Kleesiek
Knut
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D010430:Pentosyltransferases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology*; D000097608:UDP Xylose-Protein Xylosyltransferase
D010430:Pentosyltransferases; D000097608:UDP Xylose-Protein Xylosyltransferase