Effect of prostatein, the major protein produced by the rat ventral prostate, on phagocytic cell functions.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether prostatein, the major protein produced and secreted into the seminal fluid by the rat ventral prostate has any effect on the phagocytic cell functions in vitro.


METHODS
Analysis was done by determining if purified prostatein added to cells obtained from the peritoneal cavity has any effect on their phagocytic and intracellular killing capacity. Also, we analyzed the effect of prostatein on the production of oxygen and nitrogen intermediates, measuring these metabolites by Nitroblue tetrazolium assay and by the Griess reaction respectively.


RESULTS
Prostatein possess the ability to inhibit in vitro the phagocytic and killing properties of peritoneal rat leukocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of a polyclonal antiserum against prostatein specifically blocks this inhibitory effect. Moreover, prostatein inhibits the production of oxygen and nitrogen intermediates by these cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Regulation of the production of reactive oxygen species in the reproductive tract is extremely necessary to avoid their deleterious effects on the sperm motility and the fertilization process. We propose that prostatein, a protein supplied by an accessory gland like prostate, can inhibit the macrophage function, showing an important antioxidant effect.
Maccioni
Mariana
M
Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Ouímicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina.
Cabezas
Laura E
LE
Rivero
Virginia E
VE
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry; D060789:Prostatein; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D060765:Secretoglobins; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry; D014598:Uteroglobin; D060788:Mammaglobin B
D000727:Androgen-Binding Protein; D060789:Prostatein; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D060765:Secretoglobins; D014598:Uteroglobin; C511484:Scgb1d2 protein, rat; C511483:Scgb1d4 protein, rat; C556468:Scgb2a1 protein, rat; D060788:Mammaglobin B