DNase activity in human seminal plasma and follicular fluid and its inhibition by follicular fluid chelating agents.

Research Question: What is the mechanism by which human follicular fluid inhibits seminal plasma DNase activity?

Design: Human genomic DNA was incubated with human follicular fluid and seminal plasma (reaction mixture) under different experimental conditions; increasing volumes of human follicular fluid; proteinase K digested or heat inactivated human follicular fluid; and the addition of Ca or Mg to the reaction mixture.

Results: Increasing volume of human follicular fluid resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of seminal plasma DNase activity. Inhibition was not caused by proteins in the human follicular fluid as digestion with proteinase K or heat inactivation of human follicular fluid failed to abolish its inhibitory effect.