Influence of Seminal Plasma Components on Sperm Motility

Abstract

Human seminal plasma is made of different secretory fluids originating from the following organs: seminal vesicles, prostate, epididymides, testes, Cowper’s glands, and Littre’s glands. The seminal plasma of men with normal sperm motility has been shown to improve the motility characteristics of spermatozoa from oligoasthenozoospermic patients. Several investigators have attempted to demonstrate a correlation between sperm motility and some seminal plasma proteins, including prolactin, placental protein 5, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A. Human seminal plasma contains a factor that can inhibit the motility of intact spermatozoa. Seminal plasma contains both beneficial and detrimental factors for sperm motility. From data obtained with split ejaculates, the overall effects of the prostate and seminal vesicle secretions are beneficial and detrimental, respectively. Major components of the seminal plasma originate from reproductive organs, but others may originate from outside the reproductive system. The main source of seminal plasma prolactin originates from the seminal vesicles or proximal to the seminal vesicles.