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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Preparation of Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue Cores for both RNA and DNA Extraction
Published on: August 21, 2016
Prostate specific antigen is detectable in formalin-fixed semen
R C Eyre1, H Z Yin, A A Kiessling
1Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Division of Urology, Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Objective:
To conduct a pilot study to test whether or not prostate specific antigen (PSA) and/or PSA-positive cells can be detected and characterized in semen specimens archived in aldehyde fixative.
Materials And Methods:
Specimens from 12 men were examined, six before elective vasectomy and six undergoing infertility evaluation. Fixed semen elements were assessed immunocytologically using monoclonal antibodies against PSA and leucocyte common antigen, CD 45, as a control.
Results:
PSA was detectable in the semen from the fertile men as amorphous protein and contained within round vesicles (prostasomes). Semen from men undergoing infertility evaluation contained a greater variation in detectable forms and amount of PSA than the specimens from the fertile men, including PSA associated with some nonspermatozoal cells (NSCs).
Conclusion:
PSA is detectable by immunocytological analysis of semen specimens archived in aldehyde-based fixative. Three forms of PSA were detected; within round vesicles characteristic of prostasomes, associated with some NSCs, and as amorphous protein. The detected variations suggest that analysis of PSA-positive semen elements may provide important insights into prostate physiology.
