Journal Published Online: 01 January 1988
Volume 33, Issue 1

Vaginal Fluid Zinc Concentration as a Marker for Intercourse

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Zinc is present in high concentration in semen, but in low concentration in vaginal fluid. We evaluated vaginal zinc levels as a marker for intercourse by measuring precoital (>11 h after intercourse) or postcoital (<5 h after intercourse) zinc and acid phosphatase levels in 26 specimens of vaginal fluid from 18 women.

The approximate 95% reference range for zinc in precoital vaginal fluid was 1.2 to 15 μg/mL (mean 4.5), and in postcoital vaginal fluid 4.0 to 135 μg/mL (mean 24). There is an overlap between the precoital and postcoital reference ranges. Provided that the vaginal fluid zinc level is less than approximately 4.0 μg/mL or greater than approximately 15 μg/mL, vaginal fluid zinc concentration may be useful as an indicator of intercourse.

Author Information

Rogers, C
Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Bernstein, G
Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Nakamura, R
Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Endahl, G
Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Bhoopat, T
Faculty of Medicine, Chiang-Mai University, Chiang-Mai, Thailand
Pages: 7
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS12438J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12438J