Patterns of human seminal plasma proteins on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Seminal plasma proteins were separated by sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the patterns for different conditions compared by densitometry. The changes in pattern with time after ejaculation because of proteolysis could be largely prevented by addition of bacitracin. Patterns were similar within the one man and little influenced by duration of abstinence from ejaculation. There were marked variations in pattern between individuals and no specific differences could be detected between samples from men with normal semen analyses, vasectomy, or azoospermia from seminiferous tubule failure. However, there were distinct patterns with congenital absence of the vasa and seminal vesicles and with androgen deficiency. Methods for identification of testicular and epididymal proteins in semen would expand the clinical usefulness of examination of seminal plasma proteins.