RNA and protein synthesis in the nonspermatozoal cells of normal human semen

A series of semen samples from recently fertile men was obtained by masturbation. They were washed and placed in short term culture in BWW medium, and labelled either with tritiated uridine or tritiated tyrosine. Control samples were labelled in the presence of actinomycin D and puromycin respectively, and examined by light and electron microscopy. Ejaculated spermatocytes, spermatids of various stages and certain anucleate bodies proved to be labelled with tritiated tyrosine and hence to be protein synthetic. Ejaculated spermatocytes were also active in RNA synthesis. Macrophages and neutrophil leucocytes both heavily incorporated tritiated uridine and tritiated tyrosine. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the possible role of exfoliated sperm precursors in ejaculates.