A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE EPISCREEN(R) KIT AND A CONVENTIONAL METHODFOR THE DETERMINATION OF SEMINAL ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE ACTIVITY

Low alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma is a marker of epidid ymal obstruction. The criterion standard for determining activity is t he epididymal specific method, whereby the neutral iso-enzyme, specifi cally produced by the epididymis, is measured. A kit that determines t otal alpha-glucosidase activity (neutral iso-enzyme and the acid iso-e nzyme originating from the prostate) has become available. The objecti ve of the laboratory-based study was to compare alpha-glucosidase acti vity values measured by both the EpiScreen(R) and the epididymal speci fic method, to determine if the kit may provide reliable results to su bstitute the neutral iso-enzyme specific method in the routine clinica l setting. The neutral iso-enzyme activity according to both methods w as measured in seminal plasma of 23 post-vasectomy and 24 normozoosper mic patients. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between th e activities measured according to both methods, but these differences pertained mostly to high values (> 40 mU ejaculate(-1)), which was no t clinically significant. In conclusion, the epididymal specific metho d is best suited for research purposes, but the EpiScreen(R) kit is co nvenient for routine use infertility clinics.