Epidermal growth factor (urogastrone) in human seminal plasma from fertile and infertile males

Epidermal growth factor/urogastrone (EGF/URO) was measured in the seminal plasma of 214 untreated patients attending an infertility clinic. Patients were assigned groups according to sperm density and progressive motility and in the case of azoospermia into an obstructive etiology or germinal failure. There was no significant variation in mean EGF/URO levels between groups, suggesting that this peptide plays no role in the density or motility of sperm associated with fertility. Other functions this peptide may fulfill in the female reproductive tract, including that of immunosuppression, are discussed.