Prostatic acid phosphatase activity in the postcoital vagina
- PMID: 1176919
Prostatic acid phosphatase activity in the postcoital vagina
Abstract
The present results are in general agreement with previous reports on the minimal level of AP activity that should be designated positive and on the period after intercourse in which elevated levels can be demonstrated. In this study 100% of the specimens above 25 KAu were taken within 48 hours of intercourse and 85.7% of these were within 24 hours. For values above 50 KAu, all were within 24 hours of intercourse. A low AP level does not rule out the possibility of recent coitus, particuarly if the woman was menstruating or had douched or used some suppository preparation. These findings also point to the possible interference of certain pathologies in correlating AP activity and time since coitus. As other authors have shown and this study has confirmed, some reactive substance seems to be present in the vagina at all times. For the use of AP assays in the forensic investigation of alleged rape cases, it is suggested that a thorough, accurate history be obtained with regard to douches and suppositories and that the presence of vaginal pathologies be noted. Further research on the techniques used in the forensic investigation of sexually related crimes is proceeding. The large proportion of negative samples within 24 hours of intercourse in this and other studies needs clarification. Other sampling techniques and the quantitative measurement of several different constituents of semen may offer accurate estimates of the time of last intercourse. Large studies with stringent control of the possible variables will further refine this important area of forensic science.
Similar articles
-
Postcoital detection of a male-specific semen protein. Application to the investigation of rape.N Engl J Med. 1985 Feb 7;312(6):338-43. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198502073120603. N Engl J Med. 1985. PMID: 3881667
-
Prostatic acid phosphatase, aspermia, and alcoholism in rape cases.J Forensic Sci. 1980 Apr;25(2):353-6. J Forensic Sci. 1980. PMID: 7391797
-
Quantitative determination endogenous acid phosphatase activity in vaginal washings.Obstet Gynecol. 1978 Jan;51(1):33-6. Obstet Gynecol. 1978. PMID: 563547
-
Prostatic acid phosphatase. Current assessment in vaginal fluid of alleged rape victims.Am J Clin Pathol. 1976 Dec;66(6):944-52. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/66.6.944. Am J Clin Pathol. 1976. PMID: 998567
-
Effect of vaginal distention on vesicourethral function with identification of the vagino-vesicourethral reflex.J Urol. 2001 Mar;165(3):887-9. J Urol. 2001. PMID: 11176494 Review.
Cited by
-
Identification of semen in stain by determination of the specific activity of L-tartrate-inhibitable acid phosphatase.Z Rechtsmed. 1989;102(7):429-36. doi: 10.1007/BF00204073. Z Rechtsmed. 1989. PMID: 2763718
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Research Materials