Association of asthenozoospermia with a deficiency of a seminal glycoprotein.

Two major glycoprotein bands (Rf 0.67 and 0.49) were detected with polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis in normal human semen, spermatocele fluid and prostatovesicular fluid. The most rapidly migrating band (Rf 0.67) was either present in only trace amounts or absent in asthenozoospermic semen. The protein moiety of this glycoprotein was present in normal and asthenozoospermic semen, but it was not glycosylated in asthenozoospermic semen. It is suggested that there is a relationship between this glycoprotein and the acquisition of sperm motility.