Grouping of human ejaculates according to the degree of coagulation and the relationship to the levels of choline and cholinesterase

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Abstract
Human ejaculates were divided into 3 groups (I, II and III) according to the extent of their coagulation and the levels of free choline and cholinesterase were determined together with seminal vesicular N-acetylamino sugar and prostatic (zinc) marker components. Coagulation was determined as the percent coagulum (CG) at 5 min after ejaculation. The mean (.+-. SEM) values for CG at 5 min in groups I, II and III were 6 .+-. 2, 43 .+-. 4 and 79 .+-. 2, respectively. The time for 100% liquefaction in the 3 groups were 4.7 .+-. 0.8, 12.9 .+-. 1.4 and 19.1 .+-. 2.1 min, respectively. Group III had significantly higher levels of choline and cholinesterase activity than groups I and II. The choline level was correlated significantly (r = 0.58) with the concentration of N-acetylamino sugar, but there was no correlation with the level of zinc. Evaluation of the level of choline in prostatic fluid, in semen from azoospermic men and ejaculates with different CG values suggested that the level of choline may provide valuable information about activity of the seminal vesicles. Release of choline in group I was only 33 and 50% of that groups III and II, respectively. 60% of the total release of choline occurred during the liquefaction phase. The mean activity of cholinesterase in the prostate was only 27% lower than that found in seminal plasma. The liquefaction time and the concentration of choline, N-acetylamino sugar and zinc decreased significantly in ejaculates after 2 days of abstinence.