Mapping of seminal plasma proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in mend with normal and impaired spermatogenesis

The present study analyses differential polypeptide expression of seminal p lasma from fertile and infertile men by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis . Optimization of solubilization of seminal plasma was obtained by using [3 -(3-(cholamidopropyl) dimethyl-ammonio)-1-propane sulphonate] and chaotropi c agent mixture in lysis buffer before separation in immobilized pH gradien t for isoelectric focusing. A two-dimensional map of seminal plasma from a fertile man allowed the detection of about 750 spots. Semi-preparative elec trofocusing was performed. Analysis of tryptic fragments of two major spots by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy resulted in identification of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate specific antigen. Three groups of spots and seven individual s pots of isoelectric point from 4.6 to 6.2 and mol. wt from 41 to 18 kDa dis appeared in the two-dimensional maps of seminal plasma of vasectomized men (n = 4) and of a patient with bilateral anorchidy as compared to that of fe rtile men (n = 5). Some of these polypeptides were also absent in seminal p lasma of patients with alterations of seminiferous tubules showing Sertoli cell-only syndrome characteristics (n = 4) and could be potential diagnosti c markers of spermatogenesis impairment.