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Human seminal plasma fibrinolytic activity
Patrick Van Dreden1, Audrey Carlo, Carlo Audrey
1Stago Research and Development, Gennevilliers, France. pvandreden@stago.fr
Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis
|January 27, 2007
Summary
Seminal plasma contains higher levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) than blood. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels correlate with infertility, suggesting a link to sperm fertilizing capacity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
- Urology
Background:
- Seminal plasma plays a crucial role in sperm function and male fertility.
- Fibrinolytic system components, including plasminogen activators (PAs) and inhibitors (PAIs), are present in seminal fluid.
- Understanding their distribution and activity is vital for assessing male reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and levels of total fibrinolytic activity, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in seminal plasma.
- To correlate these levels with sperm parameters and liquefaction quality in men undergoing infertility assessment.
- To explore the potential relationship between seminal PA activity and sperm fertilizing capacity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 170 ejaculates from men with infertility using antigen and activity techniques for t-PA, u-PA, and PAI.
- Comparison of seminal plasma levels with blood levels.
- Assessment of seminal plasma fractions from split ejaculates.
- Evaluation of t-PA levels in relation to semen liquefaction quality.
- Zymography to confirm active forms of PAs.
Main Results:
- Seminal plasma exhibited significantly higher concentrations of t-PA and u-PA compared to blood.
- t-PA levels were lower in semen with abnormal liquefaction.
- Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) was absent or at low levels in normozoospermic individuals.
- Oligoasthenoteratospermic and azoospermic patients showed elevated PAI antigen and activity levels.
- Higher concentrations of PAs were found in the first fractions of split ejaculates.
Conclusions:
- Seminal plasma t-PA and u-PA concentrations are markedly higher than in blood.
- Elevated PAI levels in infertile men suggest a role in impaired sperm function.
- Seminal PA activity appears to be associated with sperm fertilizing capacity and semen quality.
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