title: Assessment of exfoliated prostate cells in semen: relationship with the secretory function of the prostate.
abstract: The percentage of exfoliated prostate cells (EPCs) in 139 semen specimens was determined. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed a cutoff of 17% for EPCs, and specimens were distributed into 4 groups: EPCs 17% or fewer without (group 1; n=44) and with (group 2; n=31) leukocytospermia and EPCs more than 17% without (group 3; n=39) and with (group 4; n=25) leukocytospermia. Acid phosphatase, calcium, and zinc levels; volume and pH of ejaculate; and leukocyte count were assessed. Between groups 1 and 2, the only significant difference was in leukocyte count (P<.001). Between groups 3 and 4, differences were significant in zinc levels (P=.026) and leukocyte count (P<.001). Comparisons of groups 1 and 2 vs 3 and 4 showed lower levels of acid phosphatase activity (P=.017) and calcium (P=.019), and increased seminal volume (P=.019) between groups 1 and 3. Between groups 2 and 4, the difference was significant only in leukocyte count (P<.001). EPCs of 17% or fewer with and without leukocytospermia suggest normal prostate function; EPCs of more than 17% without leukocytospermia suggest abnormal function. EPCs of more than 17% with leukocytospermia were inconclusive.
authors.affiliation: Semen Research Unit, Homero Soares Ramos Laboratory, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ftarocha@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Fernando Tadeu
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Andrade-Rocha
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004542:Ejaculation; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium