IMPROVEMENT IN THE ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN EPIDIDYMAL FUNCTION BY THE USE OF INHIBITORS IN THE ASSAY OF ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE IN SEMINAL PLASMA

Seminal α‐glucosidase had been used clinically as a maker of epididymal function. In this study enzyme inhibitors were used to increase the specificity of the human seminal α‐glucosidase assay and improved its diagnostic value as an indicator of distal epididymal occlusion in cases of azoospermia. Sodium dodecyluphate was added to the sample to eliminate the intetfering acid isoenzyme secreted by the prostate gland, and castonospermine was used with semen pools to provide a semen blank for the assay by eliminating non‐glucosidase‐regulated degradation of the substrate. with both inhibitors included in the assay, glucosidase activity in semen samples from 17 fathers was measured to provide reference values for the clinic (lower threshold 18 mU per ejaculate). With the improved assay glucosidase was non‐detectable in 8 mU per ejaculate). With the improved assay glucosidase was non‐detectable in 8 out of 11 cases of proven and 5 out of 8 cases of suspected ductal obstruction; other azoospermic patients with distal had values below 11 mU per ejaculate. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved