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Changes in seminal fluid zinc during experimental prostatitis
D E Neal1, M B Kaack, E N Fussell
1Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.
Abstract:
Patients with prostatitis have been found to have decreased prostatic fluid zinc (PF Zn). It is unclear whether changes of prostatitis are due to an inherent lack of Zn in some patients or whether the changes, including reduced PF Zn, are due to the infectious process itself. Six nonhuman primates were infected with 1 x 10(5) E. coli JR340, a clinical isolate known to cause prostatitis in the monkey. After infection, seminal fluid for culture and zinc assay was obtained by electroejaculation. Zinc was measured by colorimetric analysis. Blood counts, quantitative renal scans and urine cultures were also monitored. The animals were followed for 4 weeks and then sacrificed. The histopathology showed resolving prostatitis and fibrosis. Zinc levels dropped with acute infection, and variably recovered as the infection cleared. Controls showed slight variability with respect to PF Zn. It appears that PF Zn decreases as a result of the infectious process.
Insights
Prostatitis infection leads to decreased prostatic fluid zinc (PF Zn). Zinc levels dropped during acute infection and partially recovered as the infection cleared in this study.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
- Mineral Metabolism
Background:
- Patients with prostatitis often exhibit reduced prostatic fluid zinc (PF Zn) levels.
- The cause of decreased PF Zn in prostatitis remains unclear: inherent deficiency or infection-induced change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between bacterial prostatitis and prostatic fluid zinc levels.
- To determine if reduced PF Zn is a cause or consequence of prostatitis.
Main Methods:
- Six nonhuman primates were experimentally infected with E. coli JR340 to induce prostatitis.
- Prostatic fluid zinc levels were measured using colorimetric analysis post-infection.
- Seminal fluid cultures, blood counts, renal scans, and urine cultures were monitored throughout the 4-week study.
Main Results:
- Experimental prostatitis led to a significant decrease in prostatic fluid zinc levels during the acute infection phase.
- Zinc levels showed variable recovery as the prostatitis infection resolved.
- Histopathology confirmed resolving prostatitis and fibrosis in the infected animals.
Conclusions:
- Prostatic fluid zinc levels decrease as a direct result of the infectious process in prostatitis.
- Reduced PF Zn is likely a consequence, not a cause, of bacterial prostatitis.