Values for zinc in whole semen, fractions of split ejaculate, and expressed prostatic fluid

Abstract

Since the prostate gland secretes specific substances, several investigators have suggested that measurement of these products may be useful for the evaluation of prostatitis. In our laboratory we have measured seminal zinc as a marker of prostatic secretion to establish normal values and define the confidence limits for this assay. Zinc assays were performed on whole semen, fractions of the split ejaculate, and expressed prostatic fluid from among a population of 456 men. We hope that these data will be useful when compared with data from patients with prostatic disease.