CORRELATION OF SEMINAL PLASMA TRANSFERRIN CONCENTRATION AND HYPOOSMOTIC SWELLING OF THE SPERM

To investigate whether there is a relationship between seminal plasma transferrin concentration and hypoosmotic swelling of the sperm, semen samples from 46 infertile patients were examined. Seminal plasma tran sferrin concentration in oligozoospermic subjects (sperm concentration <20x10(6)/mL) was significantly lower than that in normozoospermic su bjects (sperm concentration greater-than-or-equal-to 20x10(6)/mL) (p<. 05). Patients with greater-than-or-equal-to 50% swollen sperm showed s ignificantly higher transferrin concentration in seminal plasma than t hose with <50% swollen sperm (p<.05), while in oligozoospermic patient s no difference was observed between seminal plasma transferrin concen tration and hypoosmotic swelling. No relationship between seminal plas ma transferrin concentration and serum gonadotropin levels was demonst rated. The results indicate that transferrin synthesis is important to sperm membrane integrity and functional competence. However, subseque nt fertility must be examined to determine whether seminal plasma tran sferrin levels are predictive of fertilizing capacity.