Detection of erythropoietin in human seminal plasma

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.07.039Get rights and content
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Abstract

Objective

To examine the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) in ejaculates and the association between EPO levels in seminal plasma and semen parameters.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Setting

University hospital in Japan.

Patient(s)

Eighty-three infertile males and 16 volunteers with proven fertility.

Intervention(s)

Semen was obtained by masturbation after 5 days of abstinence. Blood sample and split ejaculates of 16 volunteers with proven fertility were collected.

Main outcome measure(s)

Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunoassay in the seminal plasma and sperm parameters.

Result(s)

Western blot analysis showed that EPO protein was present in the seminal plasma. The EPO titers in the seminal plasma ranged from 1.5 mIU/mL to 45.0 mIU/mL by enzyme-linked immunoassay. There was no significant association between EPO levels and semen parameters. The first fraction of samples obtained by split ejaculation contained almost the same amount of EPO as the second fraction.

Conclusion(s)

Erythropoietin protein was constitutively present in seminal plasma. The seminal EPO originated from the prostate and seminal vesicle. No association between EPO levels in seminal plasma and sperm parameters was found in the present study.

Keywords

Seminal plasma
erythropoietin
infertile patients
split ejaculate

Cited by (0)

Supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (13671712, 13671713, 13877273, and 12671596) from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture of Japan (Tokyo, Japan) and Akaeda Medical Research Foundation, Tokyo.