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Theriogenology2003; 60(1); 1-10; doi: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)00956-1

Alkaline phosphatase in stallion semen: characterization and clinical applications.

Abstract: Significant amounts of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity have been found in semen plasma from numerous species. In species in which the majority of semen plasma AP (SPAP) activity originates from the epididymis and testicle, SPAP activity can be used clinically as a marker to differentiate testicular origin azoospermia or oligospermia from ejaculatory failure. Information on SPAP activity in stallions to date has been limited. In this study, a standard clinical chemistry analyzer was used to determine AP activity in pre-ejaculatory fluid and ejaculates from groups of normal stallions. Additionally, accessory glands, epididymides, testicles and other components of the urogenital tract of normal stallions were assayed to determine which tissues contain SPAP activity. The results indicated that levels of AP activity are low in pre-ejaculatory fluid, but significantly higher in ejaculatory fluid from normal stallions. Spermatozoa were not a significant source of SPAP activity. High levels of SPAP activity were found in the testes and epididymides. These findings suggest that SPAP activity is a candidate for a sperm-independent marker for ejaculation in the stallion. Finally, AP activity was determined in ejaculatory fluid from a stallion with bilaterally blocked ampullae, both before and after relief of the blockage. While the blockage was present, AP activity in ejaculatory fluid was low. However, following relief of the blockage, AP activity in ejaculatory fluid rose dramatically, thus suggesting that AP activity will be useful as an inexpensive, simple clinical assay for differentiating ejaculatory failure or excurrent duct blockages from testicular origin azoospermia and oligospermia.
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Publication Date: 2003-03-07 PubMed ID: 12620574DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(02)00956-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research is about the detection of Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) in stallion semen, its characteristics, and potential clinical applications. It suggests that AP activity in semen could be used to determine issues related to ejaculatory failure or blockages in the reproductive tract.

Characterization of Alkaline Phosphatase in Stallion Semen

  • The study measured the activity of Alkaline Phosphatase (AP), an enzyme found in the semen plasma of many species, in the semen of stallions.
  • By using a common clinical chemistry analyzer, the researchers measured AP activity in both pre-ejaculatory fluid and ejaculates from a group of healthy stallions.
  • It was observed that AP activity was invariably low in pre-ejaculatory fluid but notably higher in ejaculatory fluid.
  • The researchers also found that spermatozoa (sperm cells) were not a significant source of AP in semen plasma (SPAP).

Source of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity

  • Various components of the stallion’s urogenital tract, such as the accessory glands, testicles, and epididymides, were also examined to identify which tissues contribute to SPAP activity.
  • High levels of SPAP activity were particularly observed in the testes and epididymides, indicating that these locations may be the main source of AP in the semen.
  • The colleted results suggest SPAP activity as a potential sperm-independent signal of ejaculation in the stallion.

Potential Clinical Uses of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity

  • The study examined an exceptional case of a stallion with a bilateral blockage in the ampullae, a widened section of each vas deferens where it joins the urethra, both before and after mitigating the blockage.
  • This showed that the AP activity in the ejaculatory fluid was low while the blockage was present but significantly increased once the blockage was relieved.
  • These findings suggest that the AP activity in the semen could be a reliably cheap and easy clinical test to differentiate between ejaculatory failure or blockage in the excurrent ducts and azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen) or oligospermia (low sperm count), that originate from the testicles.

In conclusion, this study affirms the significant presence of Alkaline Phosphatase in stallion semen and its potential as a clinical marker relating to the ejaculatory function and health of their reproductive tract.

Cite This Article

APA
Turner RM, McDonnell SM. (2003). Alkaline phosphatase in stallion semen: characterization and clinical applications. Theriogenology, 60(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(02)00956-1

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 0093-691X
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 60
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-10

Researcher Affiliations

Turner, R M O
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348-1692, USA. rmturner@vet.upenn.edu
McDonnell, S M

    MeSH Terms

    • Alkaline Phosphatase / metabolism
    • Animals
    • Constriction, Pathologic / enzymology
    • Constriction, Pathologic / veterinary
    • Ejaculation
    • Ejaculatory Ducts / pathology
    • Genitalia, Male / enzymology
    • Horse Diseases / enzymology
    • Horses / physiology
    • Male
    • Oligospermia / enzymology
    • Oligospermia / veterinary
    • Semen / enzymology
    • Sperm Count

    Citations

    This article has been cited 13 times.
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