Significance of Epididymal Markers in Diagnosis of Male Infertility

Seoung, In Gi; Chung, Woo Sik; Lee, Moo Sang

Abstract

Obstructive pathology at epididymis, was deferens or seminal vesicle is a common cause of male infertility. To decide upon a suitable operative procedure it is helpful to localize the site of the blockage by means of a simple biochemical examination of the seminal fluid. The semen content of L-carnation and a-glucosidase has been measured in subjects consulting for evaluation of their fertility. The results were as follows . 1. Mean value of a-glucosidase activity was 1345fU/mg prot. in normospermia group(n : 20), 987uU/mg prot., in oligozoospermia group(n : 15), 833uU/mg prot. in azoospermia group(n : 15) and 290uU/mg prot. in post vasectomy group(n : 10), and approximately 40% of azoospermia and oligozoospermia group showed low levels in the spectrum of post vasectomy group. 2. Mean value of L-carnitine content was 0.71 mM in normospermia group, 0.43 nM in oligozoospermia group, 0.30 mM in azoospermia group and 0.22 mM in post vasectomy group, and approximately 50% of azoospermia and oligozoospermia group showed low levels in the spectrum of post vasectomy group. 3. a-glucosidase activity was positively correlated with sperm density(r = 0.532) and sperm motility(r =0.530). 4. L-carnitine content was positively correlated with sperm density(r =0.502) and sperm motility(r =0.511). 5. A close correlation(r=0.546) was found between both parameters over the range of azoospermia to normal zoospermia. Our results indicate that these two epididymal markers might thus be useful in the hands of the practicing andrologist who has to determine precisely the site of dysfunction in the reproductive system which leads to infertility.