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A comparative study of the EpiScreen® kit and a conventional method for the determination of seminal α ‐glucosidase activity
Author(s) -
Fourie M. H.,
Bornman M. S.,
Viljoen E.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1998.tb01389.x
Subject(s) - epididymis , vasectomy , enzyme assay , enzyme , andrology , semen , specific activity , reference values , male infertility , infertility , medicine , chemistry , urology , sperm , biochemistry , biology , research methodology , population , pregnancy , genetics , environmental health , family planning
Summary. Low α‐glucosidase activity in seminal plasma is a marker of epididymal obstruction. The criterion standard for determining activity is the epididymal specific method, whereby the neutral iso‐enzyme, specifically produced by the epididymis, is measured. A kit that determines total α‐glucosidase activity (neutral iso‐enzyme and the acid iso‐enzyme originating from the prostate) has become available. The objective of the laboratory‐based study was to compare α‐glucosidase activity values measured by both the EpiScreen® and the epididymal specific method, to determine if the kit may provide reliable results to substitute the neutral iso‐enzyme specific method in the routine clinical setting. The neutral iso‐enzyme activity according to both methods was measured in seminal plasma of 23 post‐vasectomy and 24 normozoospermic patients. Significant differences ( P <0.05) were found between the activities measured according to both methods, but these differences pertained mostly to high values (>40 mU ejaculate −1 ), which was not clinically significant. In conclusion, the epididymal specific method is best suited for research purposes, but the EpiScreen® kit is convenient for routine use in infertility clinics.