Detection of erythropoietin in human seminal plasma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) in ejaculates and the association between EPO levels in seminal plasma and semen parameters.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
University hospital in Japan.


METHODS
Eighty-three infertile males and 16 volunteers with proven fertility.


METHODS
Semen was obtained by masturbation after 5 days of abstinence. Blood sample and split ejaculates of 16 volunteers with proven fertility were collected.


METHODS
Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunoassay in the seminal plasma and sperm parameters.


RESULTS
Western blot analysis showed that EPO protein was present in the seminal plasma. The EPO titers in the seminal plasma ranged from 1.5 mIU/mL to 45.0 mIU/mL by enzyme-linked immunoassay. There was no significant association between EPO levels and semen parameters. The first fraction of samples obtained by split ejaculation contained almost the same amount of EPO as the second fraction.


CONCLUSIONS
Erythropoietin protein was constitutively present in seminal plasma. The seminal EPO originated from the prostate and seminal vesicle. No association between EPO levels in seminal plasma and sperm parameters was found in the present study.
Temma
Kumiko
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita City, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Shimoya
Koichiro
K
Hashimoto
Kazumasa
K
Zhang
Qing
Q
Koyama
Masayasu
M
Murata
Yuji
Y
D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities
D004921:Erythropoietin