Amounts of Copper/zinc containing superoxide dismutase have been found in human seminal plasma. Superoxide dismutase inhibits the lipid peroxidation in the xanthine oxidase system. In seminal plasma of spermatozoa with a good motility the superoxide dismutase activity is higher than in those with a low motility.
Key words Superoxide dismutase - Lipid peroxidation - Seminal plasma - Superoxide radicals
Dedicated in gratitude to Prof. Dr. C. Schirren, Director of the Department of Andrology, University of Hamburg, on the occasion of his 60th birthday
Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grant No KR429/7