title: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in seminal plasma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the latent and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human semen samples and to investigate their association with semen parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic semen analysis was performed in 82 semen samples. Seminal plasma was analyzed with gelatin zymography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both latent and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected in human seminal plasma. The latent forms were the predominant ones. MMP-2 and MMP-9, either in latent or active forms, were not correlated with semen parameters. ProMMP-9 levels were higher in semen samples with abnormally low concentration (< or = 19 x 10(6)/ml) compared with semen samples with concentration > or = 50 x 10(6)/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MMP-2 and MMP-9 are both present in human semen. The latent forms of both MMPs are the predominant ones. ProMMP-9 is elevated in samples of low sperm concentration.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tentes
authors.forename: Byron
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asimakopoulos
authors.forename: Efthimia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mourvati
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diedrich
authors.forename: Safaa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Hasani
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolettos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology*; D013076:Sperm Count
chemical_list: D004792:Enzyme Precursors; C120487:pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9