THE ACID PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY OF HUMAN URINE, AN INDEX OF PROSTATIC SECRETION11

Abstract

Studies were made on the acid and alkaline phosphatase content of 2300 varied specimens of urine from 125 individuals. The King-Armstrong method for serum phosphatase was used for urine specimens previously dialyzed 12 hrs. The urine of normal adult [male][male] contains 3-5-fold greater amts. of acid phosphatase than that of normal adult [female][female]. Only traces of alkaline phosphatase are excreted in the urine. Evidence is presented to establish that the high values of urinary acid phosphatase in the [male] can be explained on the basis of admixture of prostatic fluid. Urinary acid phosphatase measurement is suggested as an index of prostatic secretion and a crude index of androgenic activity in the [male].