Mechanism of liquefaction of the human ejaculate I. Changes of the ejaculate proteins

Abstract

The spontaneous liquefaction of the human ejaculate in vitro was studied by macroscopic inspection, disc electrophoresis of the ejaculate proteins, free amino acid and N2 determinations and by EM. Liquefaction occurred in 3 phases. Phase 1 was characterized by the macroscopic solubilization of the gelatinous material and by disappearance of its granular ultrastructure. Zn2+, Hg2+ and Cu2+ completely inhibited the 1st step of the liquefaction, which could be reversed by Na2EDTA. The factor(s) involved is most probably a proteolytic enzyme(s) which is tightly incorporated into the gelatinous material. In Phase 2 of liquefaction solubilized proteins were degraded to peptides, and in Phase 3 these peptides were degraded to amino acids. Factor(s) responsible for these 2 steps of liquefaction could be removed by washing the gelatinous material.