• PMID: 3917951
• Gene Name: TF
• Condition: Seminiferous tubular function
• Association: Associated
• Population size: 15
• Population details: 15 seminiferous tubular damage
• Sex: Male
• Infertility type: Male infertility
• Associated genes: Transferrin, ceruloplasmin
• Other associated phenotypes: Seminiferous tubular function

Ceruloplasmin and transferrin in human seminal plasma: are they an index of seminiferous tubular function?

Orlando C, Caldini AL, Barni T, Wood WG, Strasburger CJ, Natali A, Maver A, Forti G, Serio M.

Transferrin and ceruloplasmin have been measured by a solid-phase chemiluminescent method in seminal fluid and circulating blood of normal and vasectomized subjects (1 year after operation). This study has confirmed that approximately 80% of seminal transferrin comes from the testis, while seminal ceruloplasmin was not found different in the two groups. In patients affected by azoospermia due to seminiferous tubular damage (n = 15) in whom an obstruction was previously excluded, seminal transferrin was always below the normal range. On the contrary, seminal ceruloplasmin was always in the normal range, and circulating follicle-stimulating hormone was found above the normal range only in nine cases. No correlation was found between seminal transferrin and circulating follicle-stimulating hormone in such groups. In an unselected group of infertile patients with decreased sperm concentration and/or sperm motility, seminal transferrin was found correlated with the sperm count. These studies seem to suggest that seminal transferrin is a reliable index of seminiferous tubular function. FAU - Orlando, C AU - Orlando C FAU - Caldini, A L AU - Caldini AL FAU - Barni, T AU - Barni T FAU - Wood, W G AU - Wood WG FAU - Strasburger, C J AU - Strasburger CJ FAU - Natali, A AU - Natali A FAU - Maver, A AU - Maver A FAU - Forti, G AU - Forti G