SIALIC-ACID IN SEMEN OF NORMOZOOSPERMIC MEN

Good sperm motility in normozoospermic men was associated with high bo und and total sialic acid (SA) and pyruvate concentrations in the semi nal plasma, as well as high endogenous (sperm) pyruvate concentrations . The presence of sialidase in the seminal plasma was also demonstrate d for the first time. The results suggest that SA is metabolized to py ruvate by a N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA)-aldolase in the seminal pla sma and that pyruvate subsequently serves as an energy source for sper m.