Time‐ and temperature‐related alterations in seminal plasma constituents after ejaculation

Abstract

The effects of temperature and incubation time were examined on the concentrations of the following seminal plasma constituents in ejaculates from seven healthy volunteers: prostatic acid phosphate (PAP), citric acid, testosterone, prostaglandin E (PGE), fructose, protein, putrescine and the polyamines spermidine and spermine. The results indicated that the majority of glandular products were stable up to 3 h after ejaculation when stored at room temperature, with the exception of the prostatic diamine putrescine, which appeared to undergo rapid metabolism. Prolonged periods of incubation resulted in a gradual reduction in the levels of fructose and a significant increase in the activity of PAP and the levels of spermidine. On the basis of these findings it appears that an evaluation of the functional integrity of the accessory sex glands can be carried out on semen up to 3 h after ejaculation.

Standardization and Quality Control for Determination of Fructose in Seminal Plasma

“…The concentration of fructose at 2 hours was significantly lower than that measured immediately, and at 4 hours significantly lower than at 2 hours. Furthermore, the decrease of fructose concentration was significantly positive correlated with motile sperm concentration ( r = .374, P = .009), verifying the demonstrations that motile sperm in vitro can unceasingly consume fructose, and evaluation of seminal vesicular function should be performed within 3 hours after ejaculation (Rui et al, 1986). We suggest that standing time of semen should be standardized and that semen should be centrifuged immediately after liquefaction and separated into seminal plasma and sperm, to ensure accuracy of seminal fructose determination.…”

The secretory activity of the seminal vesicles and its relationship to sperm motility: effects of infection in the male reproductive tract

“…The inverse relationship between sperm count and seminal fructose has been postulated to be due to the time elapsed between ejaculation and the assay of fructose (Schirren, 1972;Rui, Morkan & Purvis. 1986).…”

Diagnostic tests in canine andrology - What do they really tell us about fertility?

“…Results of semen evaluation tests are influenced by sample collection technique and timing, concentration of spermatozoa in the sample, amount of time from semen collection to evaluation, temperature at which the sample was held, equipment used, and many other factors [11,78].…”