Genetic markers in semen. III: Alteration of phosphoglucomutase isozyme patterns in semen contaminated with saliva

Contamination of semen by saliva can result in the alteration of seminal phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) isozyme patterns. The alteration is characterized by the gradual loss of the a and b isozyme bands the concomitant generation of anodal bands; eventually, all PGM activity is lost. The conversion of PGM isozyme patterns has been shown to be due to a dialyzable heat-labile factor in saliva and a nondialyzable heat-labile factor in semen. The implications of this conversion for PGM typing in sexual assault evidence are discussed.