Seminal plasma androgen-binding protein activity in turkeys with normal white or abnormal yellow semen

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Abstract
Summary. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding activity of normal white and abnormal yellow turkey semen was quantitated by disc-gel electrophoresis in the presence of [3H]DHT. White seminal plasma had three peaks of activity (Rf = 0·3, 0·5 and 0·8). Yellow seminal plasma had a greater protein concentration and [3H]DHT binding activity averaging 32·5 ± 7·93 pmol DHT/ml compared with 1·45 ± 0·3 pmol DHT/ml for white seminal plasma. The majority of [3H]DHT binding was localized at Rf = 0·5 for the yellow seminal plasma. When labelled samples were separated by electrophoresis on unlabelled gels, the only peak of activity was at Rf = 0·5. Blood serum contained 3 peaks of activity (Rf = 0·4, 0·5, and 0·8). We conclude that a seminal plasma androgen-binding protein is present in the domestic turkey, and in males with yellow semen syndrome androgen-binding activity is increased.