LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE-C4 ACTIVITY IN SEMINAL PLASMA AND MALE-INFERTILITY

Objective: To determine the lactate dehydrogenase C4 (LDH-C4) isoenzym e activity in seminal fluid with the purpose of studying its clinical use as marker of seminiferous epithelium activity. Design: A total of 224 semen samples were classified into the following four groups: 1! men with proven fertility (n = 27); 2! oligozoospermic patients (n = 34); 3! normozoospermic subjects with infertile couple (n = 120); and 4! vasectomized patients (n = 22). Results: It was found that LDH-C4 activity discriminates well between the infertile groups (groups 2 an d 3) with the fertile group (group 1). We correlated LDH-C4 activity w ith the different parameters of the seminogram, the best correlation b eing obtained with the sperm count. Lactate dehydrogenase-C4 activity: sperm count ratio showed a high correlation with the ''vital'' variab les of spermatozoon. The logistic regression analysis gave a mathemati cal model that only includes viability and percent C4. This model accu rately classifies 88.4% of the cases. In vasectomized individuals, we proved an earlier disappearance of the LDH-C4 activity, than that of t he sperm count. Conclusion: Our results confirm the clinical utility o f this parameter as a good marker for both germinal activity and sperm atozoid quality.