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Objective markers of condom failure

M L Lawson1, M Maculuso, A Bloom

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-2170, USA.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
|October 17, 1998
PubMed
Summary
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Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the most effective semen biomarker for assessing condom use, outperforming acid phosphatase (AP) and MHS-5. This study compared three objective markers to improve condom efficacy research.

Area of Science:

  • Biomarker research
  • Reproductive health
  • Sexual health

Background:

  • Condom efficacy studies traditionally rely on self-reported data, which can be subjective.
  • Objective markers of semen exposure offer a more accurate method for evaluating condom use and failure.
  • Developing reliable biomarkers is crucial for understanding and improving sexual health practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effectiveness of three distinct semen biomarkers: acid phosphatase (AP) activity, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and the human seminal plasma antigen (MHS-5).
  • To identify the most reliable objective marker for detecting semen exposure in vaginal fluid.
  • To enhance the validity of condom efficacy studies by introducing objective measurement methods.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty women participated in the study.
Keywords:
AmericasBarrier MethodsBehaviorBiologyComparative StudiesCondomCondom FailureContraceptionContraceptive MethodsDeveloped CountriesExaminations And DiagnosesFamily PlanningGenitaliaGenitalia, MaleLaboratory Examinations And DiagnosesLaboratory ProceduresMeasurementNorth AmericaNorthern AmericaPhysiologyResearch MethodologyResearch ReportSemenSeminal VesiclesStudiesUnited StatesUrogenital SystemUser Compliance

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  • Participants were intravaginally inoculated with measured amounts of their partner's semen.
  • Vaginal fluid samples were self-collected by participants using swabs and subsequently tested for biomarker presence.

    • Main Results:

    • Prostate specific antigen (PSA) showed low background levels and was detected in all post-inoculation samples.
    • Acid phosphatase (AP) exhibited variable background levels, with 55% of post-inoculation samples testing positive.
    • The human seminal plasma antigen (MHS-5) was not detected in pre-inoculation samples, and only 12% of post-inoculation samples were positive.

    Conclusions:

    • The prostate specific antigen (PSA) immunoassay demonstrated superior performance as a semen biomarker under the study's conditions.
    • PSA is identified as the most effective biomarker for assessing semen exposure compared to AP and MHS-5.
    • These findings support the use of PSA as a reliable objective marker in future condom efficacy research.