| Abstrakt: |
The relationship between male infertility and the pepsinogen C content in semen has been investigated. The activation of the seminal pepsinogen C in the vagina has been studied under physiological conditions.Samples of semen from 48 vasectomized males and from 46 males of infertile couples were analyzed for pepsinogen C by radioimmunoassay. No correlation was found between the level of pepsinogen C and seminal characteristics, including sperm concentration, motility, and morphologic features. The mean concentration of pepsinogen C was 42.2 µg/ml; the first, second, and third quartile were 18.4, 29.6, and 57.6 µg/ml, respectively. No significant difference in the level of pepsinogen C was observed between semen of normal quality, semen of reduced quality, and semen with aspermia. Activation of pepsinogen C occurred within 3 h when semen was incubated at pH below 5.0 at 37°C. Intravaginal activation was investigated in six experiments in which semen from two males was instilled in three females. In four experiments with two couples, post-coital activation was investigated. Pepsin C activity in vaginal fluid was detected an average of 3 h (range 2–5 h) and 5 h (4–7 h) after instillation or ejaculation, respectively. Vaginal pH had then been below 4.5 for approximately 1 h. Pepsin C activity was present in the vagina for more than 24 h thereafter. It is most likely that seminal pepsin C is without influence on the fertilizing spermatozoon. However, pepsin C may exert a local effect in the vagina by degrading seminal proteins, thus preventing an immunogenic response in females. |
