Which biochemical determination may help establish the presence of seminal fluid?

Which biochemical determination may help establish the presence of seminal fluid?

• A. Lactate Dehydrogenase
• B. Isocitrate Dehydrogenase
• C. Acid Phosphatase
• D. Alkaline Phosphatase

Answer: (C)

Seminal fluid is rich in a particular enzyme, acid phosphatase, which is produced in high amounts by the prostate. Because of this abundance, testing for acid phosphatase activity serves as a strong presumptive indicator of semen: a substrate is broken down by the enzyme to yield a color change, signaling the possible presence of seminal fluid. Among the options, acid phosphatase stands out because its activity is much more characteristic of semen than the other enzymes listed. Lactate dehydrogenase, while present in many tissues and fluids, isn’t specific to semen. Isocitrate dehydrogenase is a general metabolic enzyme found broadly as well. Alkaline phosphatase is widespread across bone, liver, kidney, and other tissues, making it a poor semen-specific marker. So, the acid phosphatase test provides the best indicator for the presence of seminal fluid.

Seminal fluid is rich in a particular enzyme, acid phosphatase, which is produced in high amounts by the prostate. Because of this abundance, testing for acid phosphatase activity serves as a strong presumptive indicator of semen: a substrate is broken down by the enzyme to yield a color change, signaling the possible presence of seminal fluid. Among the options, acid phosphatase stands out because its activity is much more characteristic of semen than the other enzymes listed. Lactate dehydrogenase, while present in many tissues and fluids, isn’t specific to semen. Isocitrate dehydrogenase is a general metabolic enzyme found broadly as well. Alkaline phosphatase is widespread across bone, liver, kidney, and other tissues, making it a poor semen-specific marker. So, the acid phosphatase test provides the best indicator for the presence of seminal fluid.