[N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in human semen: its relation to gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activity in seminal plasma and reproductive tissues, and relation between seminal mucoprotein concentration and seminal NAG, and gamma-GTP activities].

N-Acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activities in seminal plasma obtained from male infertile patients and these activities in reproductive tissues obtained from cryptorchids and patients with bladder tumors were studied. Seminal mucoprotein concentration was also measured. The mean NAG and gamma-GTP activity in seminal plasma was 2,092 +/- 794 mU/ml and 10,942 +/- 4,179 mIU/ml, respectively. The mean seminal mucoprotein concentration was 28.0 +/- 5.7 mg/ml. In seminal plasma, a significant correlation was obtained between NAG and gamma-GTP (p less than 0.001). and between gamma-GTP and mucoprotein concentration (p less than 0.05). However, there was no correlation between NAG and mucoprotein concentration. In the reproductive tissue high gamma-GTP activity was observed in the testicular tissue and in the external gland of the prostate. The activity in the epididymis was higher in the tail than in the head. High NAG activity was observed in the epididymal head and in the internal gland of the prostate. In the testicular tissue, NAG activity was low. These findings showed that in the seminal plasma NAG and gamma-GTP activities were closely related but in the reproductive tissue, these activities located in different areas.