Abstract
The existence of a substance or a group of substances with smooth muscle stimulating and vasodepressive properties in human semen, prostate and seminal vesicles was first described by von Euler1,2 and Goldblatt3 more than 50 years ago. The active principle was named prostaglandin (PG) by von Euler2. It was soon realized that semen was the richest natural source of prostaglandins, and seminal extracts were used for many of the early experiments that attempted to ascertain the properties of prostaglandins. Although a long time has elapsed since the discovery of these compounds, the physiological function(s) of PGs in human semen is still far from clear. The aim of this chapter is to describe their possible roles in relation to fertility.
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References
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Bygdeman, M. (1986). Male fertility. In: Bygdeman, M., Berger, G.S., Keith, L.G. (eds) Prostaglandins and their Inhibitors in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6734-5_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6734-5_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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