Immunoreactive prolactin, progesterone and luteinizing hormone in the seminal plasma of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The presence of immunoreactive prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone in buffalo seminal plasma is reported for the first time. Correlations were obtained between various semen attributes and the levels of the above immunoreactive hormones. Statistically significant (P < 0.01) negative correlations were found between the levels of immunoreactive prolactin in semen and sperm motility and viability. The coefficient of multiple linear correlation (R2) between the levels of immunoreactive progesterone, prolactin and LH in the seminal plasma and the various attributes of semen revealed that immunoreactive progesterone and prolactin showed stronger interactions than did LH. The biological significance of these immunoreactive hormones in semen is discussed.