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Carcinoembryonic antigen activity in human seminal plasma
P P Asseo1, D K Panidis, A C Papaloucas
12nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
International Journal of Fertility
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Seminal plasma contains significantly higher levels of Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) than normal serum. This study found no correlation between CEA levels and male fertility issues, suggesting the prostate as the primary source.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Clinical chemistry
- Onco-immunology
Background:
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker.
- Its presence and significance in seminal plasma are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in seminal plasma.
- To explore the relationship between seminal plasma CEA and male fertility.
- To identify the potential origin of seminal plasma CEA.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to measure CEA immunoreactivity.
- 101 men, including controls and those with fertility issues, were studied.
Main Results:
- Mean seminal plasma CEA levels were approximately 8.5 times higher than the upper limit in normal serum.
- No statistically significant differences in CEA levels were observed between fertile and infertile men, or between those with normal and abnormal spermiograms.
- The prostate gland is indicated as the primary source of seminal plasma CEA.
Conclusions:
- Seminal plasma exhibits significantly elevated CEA levels compared to serum.
- Seminal plasma CEA levels do not appear to be a reliable indicator of male fertility status.
- The prostate is the likely origin of CEA found in seminal plasma.