Seminal Plasma Testosterone Levels Research Articles

Seminal plasma protein profiles and testosterone levels as biomarker semen quality of candidate Madura bulls.

This study aims to determine the protein profile based on molecular weight (MW) and testosterone levels in seminal plasma (SP) that correlates to the semen quality of candidate Madura bulls. A total of 10 male candidate madura bulls underwent semen evaluation (motility, viability, membrane plasma integrity (MPI), and sperm concentration). The centrifuge was run at 1,200 rpm (4°C) for 20 min to collect SP. SP testosterone levels were measured using an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The characterization of SP proteins in Madura bulls was done using 1D sodium dodecyl-sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. All parameters were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. The results of the SDS-PAGE analysis found eight protein bands with the highest MW of 110 kDa and the lowest of 12 kDa. The mean and SD of SP testosterone levels were 20.58 ± 8.56 ng/ml, motility 59.32% ± 20.14%, viability 67.45% ± 20.22%, MPI 32.77% ± 16.52%, and sperm concentration 1,002.64 ± 429.33 106/mm3. Proteins with MWs of 110 and 91 kDa significantly correlated with MPI, and 110 kDa negatively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.05). Proteins with MWs of 73 and 36 kDa significantly correlated with SP testosterone levels, while proteins with MWs of 29 kDa significantly correlated with sperm viability (p < 0.05). The expressed protein fraction based on MW is closely related to the quality of semen, so it has the potential to be a biomarker of semen quality. Further research is needed to determine the specific proteins in certain fractions.

Effects of season and artificial photoperiod on semen and seminal plasma characteristics in bucks of two goat breeds maintained in a semen collection center.

Aim:This study quantified the effects of season and photoperiodic treatment on semen and seminal plasma (SP) characteristics in 12 bucks of two Spanish goat breeds (Murciano-Granadina, and Payoya) for the past 1 year.Materials and Methods:A total of 6 bucks (three of each breed) were exposed to the natural day length and the other six males (three of each breed) were exposed to alternating conditions of 2 months of long days (16 h light) and 2 months of short days (8 h light). Weekly concentrations of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/aspartate aminotransferase (GOT/AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), potassium, testosterone, and protein in SP were measured. Reaction time and scrotal circumference were recorded, and plasma testosterone concentrations were measured before semen collection.Results:Sperm volume, LDH, and potassium concentration in SP, and reaction time did not differ significantly between breeds, seasons, and photoperiodic treatment. Sperm concentrations were higher (p<0.001) in spring and summer than they were in autumn and winter. Mean percentage of positive hypo-osmotic swelling test sperm was the highest in summer and under the artificial photoperiod (p<0.01). GOT/AST concentrations differed (p<0.01) between breeds and seasons. Breed, season, and photoperiod had significant (p<0.001) effects on protein and testosterone levels in SP. Plasma testosterone concentrations were highest in summer (p<0.001), and differed significantly (p<0.01) between breeds. Scrotal perimeter differed significantly (p<0.001) between breeds and photoperiod.Conclusion:Recognition of those seasonal and breed-specific differences in the performance of bucks should help to improve the management of individual semen samples for use in artificial insemination programs.

Aromatase inhibitors in infertile patients: effects on seminal parameters, serum and seminal plasma testosterone levels, and estradiol levels during short-term follow-up

Aim: To evaluate the effects of an aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole) on seminal parameters, and on serum and seminal plasma testosterone/estradiol ratios in infertile patients, as well as to clarify its place among empirical infertility treatment modalities. Patients and Methods: The study included 32 patients with spermatozoa numbering > 5 million/mL in ejaculate and a serum testosterone/estradiol ratio < 0.14. Anastrozole, an aromatase-inhibiting agent, was given (1 mg b.i.d.) and patients were re-evaluated 2 months later based on semen analysis, and measurements of serum and seminal plasma testosterone and estradiol levels. Results: Semen analysis parameters before and after treatment, respectively, were as follows: number of spermatozoa: 12.4 ± 4.1 million/mL and 22.3 ± 5.7 million/mL; motility: 33.4 ± 4.2% and 47.6 ± 7.4%; normal morphology: 5.4 ± 1.3% and 8.9 ± 2.7%. Differences between the values before and after treatment were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Serum testosterone level was 4.1 ± 1.2 ng/mL, estradiol level was 52.1 ± 9.4 pg/mL, and testosterone/estradiol ratio was 0.13 ± 0.03 at the beginning of treatment. These values were 3.2 ± 0.6 ng/mL, 68.4 ± 7.3 pg/mL, and 0.05 ± 0.001, respectively, in seminal plasma. Following 2 months of anastrozole treatment, testosterone and estradiol levels, and the testosterone/estradiol ratio showed statistically significant changes in serum and seminal plasma. While testosterone levels significantly increased, estradiol levels decreased (serum P_T = 0.001, P_{E2} = 0.001; seminal plasma P_T = 0.001, P_{E2} = 0.001). Conclusion: Aromatase inhibitors are a potential treatment method for infertile male patients with increased plasma estradiol levels and decreased plasma testosterone/estradiol ratios.

Relationships Between Levels of Estradiol and Testosterone in Seminal Plasma andGSTM1Polymorphism in Infertile Men

Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) enzyme serves as a steroid-binding protein by its ability to bind to testosterone and estradiol. The levels of total estradiol and testosterone were measured by using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in serum and seminal plasma from 103 subjects including 62 subfertile patients. GSTM1 polymorphism was examined using polymerase chain reaction. The estradiol and testosterone levels in seminal plasma were not different in control and subfertile subjects. No role for GSTM1 enzyme as a steroid-binding protein seemed likely as there was also no significant difference in seminal plasma estradiol and testosterone levels according to GSTM1 genotype. Significant positive correlations were found between seminal estradiol and serum estradiol in infertile males, and between seminal testosterone and serum testosterone in fertile males, independent of GSTM1 genotype. GSTM1 polymorphism is not a genetic risk factor of seminal estradiol and testosterone levels in infertile males although further studies are warranted.

Human chorionic gonadotropin free β-subunit in the human seminal plasma: a new marker for spermatogenesis?

In the past 20 years, several factors were detected in the human seminal plasma and proposed as markers for spermatogenesis. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its β-subunit were therefore investigated, and their seminal levels were found to be higher than those detected in the serum and to correlate with sperm parameters. Objective: We designed a retrospective study to determine the suitability of hCG free β-subunit concentration in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile male patients as marker of spermatogenesis. Study design: A total of 79 infertile male patients were divided into four groups by their semen analysis results (group 1 [ n=8]: azoospermia; group 2 [ n=21]: severe oligozoospermia; group 3 [ n=40]: oligoasthenospermia (OAS); group 4 [ n=10]: asthenospermia) and 10 healthy volunteers of proven fertility were evaluated. Results: The hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma were found to be significantly higher ( P<0.0001) in the control group in respect to those assayed in the infertile patients and showed a correlation with sperm count ( r=0.5) and total motile sperm density ( r=0.5). Twenty-five patients were on treatment with oral Mesterolone (100 mg daily) plus Tamoxifen (20 mg daily) for 3–6 months. Apart from a significant improvement ( P<0.05) in sperm morphology, no significant changes in sperm count and motility were observed after the treatment in all the patients. In the seminal plasma of 10 patients who showed a significant increase in sperm count, hCG free β-subunit levels were found to be significantly higher compared to those detected in the remaining patients ( P<0.01). In all patients, these levels remained unchanged after the treatment. Conclusions: The evidence regarding the positive correlation between hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma and sperm concentration is consistent with the previous results regarding hCG levels. A previous study demonstrated that testosterone levels in seminal plasma correlated with sperm concentrations; from the same evidence regarding hCG we hypothesize that seminal plasma testosterone and hCG levels are correlated. Thus, hCG may play a paracrine role in the intratesticular regulation of testosterone secretion.

FSH, LH and testosterone levels in human seminal plasma.

Testosterone levels in the seminal plasma of 5 normal males, and 30 male sterility patients were measured by radioimmunoassay. In 9 random cases, seminal plasma levels of FSH and LH were determined by radioimmunoassay. The average level of seminal plasma testosterone for the normal males was 72 +/- ng/100 ml, higher than that of the patients: 52 +/- 41 ng/100 ml. The average levels of FSH and LH in the seminal plasma of the 9 random cases were 4.4 +/- 2.0 mIU/ml and 35.4 +/- 5.4 mlU/ml, respectively.