Biomaterial Database

Canine prostatic secretions kill Trichomonas vaginalis. 1982

J N Krieger, and M F Rein

The zinc content of prostatic secretions is thought to be an important nonspecific defense against urinary tract infection in men. This investigation measured killing by prostatic fluid of Trichomonas vaginalis, a common sexually transmitted pathogen, and related this activity to zinc concentration. We used a canine model which closely resembles the human male genital tract. Prostatic secretions from all dogs killed all T. vaginalis isolates. There appear to be several mechanisms for killing of trichomonads by prostatic fluid. At prostatic fluid zinc concentrations comparable to those in normal men (greater than or equal to 3.2 mM), the rate of killing of trichomonads was proportional to the zinc concentration. At intermediate zinc levels, killing occurred by both zinc-dependent and zinc-independent mechanisms. A zinc-independent mechanism was responsible for antitrichomonal activity at relatively low zinc levels (less than 1.6 mM), comparable to those in the prostatic fluid of men with chronic prostatitis. This study suggests that the variable clinical spectrum of trichomoniasis in men may result from a balance between the zinc sensitivity of the T. vaginalis strains on one side and the content of both zinc and zinc-independent factors in prostatic fluid on the other.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011467	Prostate	A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the URINARY BLADDER and the URETHRA. It secretes a substance that liquefies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the PUBIC SYMPHYSIS, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the RECTUM.	Prostates
D001826	Body Fluids	Liquid components of living organisms.	Body Fluid,Fluid, Body,Fluids, Body
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014246	Trichomonas vaginalis	A species of TRICHOMONAS that produces a refractory vaginal discharge in females, as well as bladder and urethral infections in males.	Trichomonas vaginali,vaginali, Trichomonas
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.