MSP content in human seminal plasma and its relationship with seminal parameters

ANAHÍ FRANCHI; M. SOLEDAD MACUA; ROSA I. MOLINA; CARLOS E. CORONEL

Cordoba, Argentina.

Congreso; XV Jornadas Científicas de la Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba.; 2005

Sociedad de Biología de Córdoba.

Prostate â-microseminoprotein or MSP is one of the most abundant proteins in the human seminal plasma. It is a 15 kDa cysteinerich nonglycosylated protein. Originally, MSP was isolated from human seminal plasma but has recently been detected in several different mammalian species. In the human, the gene for MSP has three glucocorticoid response elements and one estrogen response element in the promoter region suggesting hormonal regulation of the synthesis and secretion of this protein. Although putative biological roles, such as tumor marker for prostate cancer and immunoglobulin binding factor have been suggested for MSP, its biological function in the male reproductive tract is still unknown. In previous communications we have showed that MSP binds to the acrosomal region and to the neck of the sperm cells as it was observed with seminal plasma proteins that affect the sperm physiology. The aim of this study was to quantify MSP content in human seminal plasma and analyze its relation with the seminal parameters. Semen samples from sub-fertile patients with seminal parameters lower than the reference values (WHO), were evaluated in comparison with those from fertile donors (control). To quantify MSP, a two-site binding enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) using polyclonal antibodies generated in rabbits and rats was developed. MSP concentration in the sub-fertile group was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.02), reinforcing the hypothesis about its participation in physiological processes related with the sperm fertilizing capability.