TY - JOUR
T1 - High levels of catecholamines in human semen
T2 - A preliminary study
AU - Fait, G.
AU - Vered, Y.
AU - Yogev, L.
AU - Gamzu, R.
AU - Lessing, J. B.
AU - Paz, G.
AU - Yavetz, H.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - The objective of this study was to determine the seminal concentrations of four different catecholamines and their association with semen quality. Seminal concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl-alanine (DOPA), and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) were determined in 13 healthy volunteers, using high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector. In addition, semen analysis was performed. Noradrenaline and DOPA were present in all specimens with a concentration of 15 181 ± 2951 pg ml-1 and 4023 ± 429 pg ml-1 (mean ± SE), respectively. These concentrations are respectively 19 times (range: 3-44) and twice (range: 1-3) as high as the maximal normal concentration in plasma. Adrenaline was present in 10 and DOPAC in seven of 13 specimens. No correlation was found between the concentration of any of the catecholamines evaluated and semen characteristics. In conclusion, noradrenaline and DOPA are present in human semen at concentrations that are much higher than maximal normal values in plasma. Adrenaline and DOPAC were also found in some of the samples. The concentrations of catecholamines in semen are not associated with semen quality.
AB - The objective of this study was to determine the seminal concentrations of four different catecholamines and their association with semen quality. Seminal concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl-alanine (DOPA), and 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) were determined in 13 healthy volunteers, using high-performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector. In addition, semen analysis was performed. Noradrenaline and DOPA were present in all specimens with a concentration of 15 181 ± 2951 pg ml-1 and 4023 ± 429 pg ml-1 (mean ± SE), respectively. These concentrations are respectively 19 times (range: 3-44) and twice (range: 1-3) as high as the maximal normal concentration in plasma. Adrenaline was present in 10 and DOPAC in seven of 13 specimens. No correlation was found between the concentration of any of the catecholamines evaluated and semen characteristics. In conclusion, noradrenaline and DOPA are present in human semen at concentrations that are much higher than maximal normal values in plasma. Adrenaline and DOPAC were also found in some of the samples. The concentrations of catecholamines in semen are not associated with semen quality.
KW - Catecholamines
KW - Semen
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035171645&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2001.00461.x
DO - 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2001.00461.x
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AN - SCOPUS:0035171645
SN - 0303-4569
VL - 33
SP - 347
EP - 350
JO - Andrologia
JF - Andrologia
IS - 6
ER -
