Creatine kinase and ATPase in human seminal fluid and prostatic fluid

Abstract

A creatine kinase assay based on estimation of creatine liberated from creatine phosphate was accurate and reproducible for use with seminal or prostatic fluid, after allowance was made for acid phosphatase interference. Comparison of this method with one which relies on enzymic coupling of ATP formation to NADP+ oxidation shows that the latter under-estimates creatine kinase activity by a factor of about 3. This discrepancy could be due to the high ATPase activity found in prostatic and seminal fluid. Uncritical use of the NADP+ assay might account for different seminal creatine kinase values reported in the literature. Interrelationships between ATPase, creatine kinase and Zn suggest that seminal ATPase is a prostatic secretory product while creatine kinase may be multiglandular in origin. [Creatine kinase assays of prostatic fluid could be clinically useful in the diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma.].