Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of MHS-5 in detecting seminal fluid in vaginal swabs

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Legal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Vaginal swabs taken in 211 cases of alleged sexual assault were examined for seminal vesicle-specific antigen (SVSA) using an MHS-5-ELISA (SEMA kit). The results were compared with those obtained by sperm detection by means of light microscopy and the acid phosphatase reaction (ACP), using Phosphatesmo-KM papers. Especially in fresher samples (duration of storage between 10 days and 2 1/2 months), a high degree of correlation was observed between the results of light microscopic and MHS-5 methods. Several cases with positive MHS-5 showed concurrent positive ACP reactions, even though no spermatozoa had been seen microscopically. The results are displayed in the light of time elapsed between the alleged assault and examination of the swabs. The longest time span after the alleged assault in which MHS-5 yielded a positive result was 47 h; in this case spermatozoa were also seen microscopically. SVSA is not totally stable in vaginal swabs stored over long (9 months to 5 1/2 years) periods of time. Furthermore, results in eight penile swabs are reported. MHS-5 is a useful tool for medico-forensic semen detection in vaginal swabs, probably even in cases of azoospermia or aspermia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dahlke MB, Cooke C, Cunnane M, Chawla J, Lau P (1977) Identification of semen in 500 patients seen because of rape. Am J Clin Pathol 68:740–746

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Davies A (1978) A preliminary investigation usingp-nitrophenyl phosphate to quantitate acid phosphatase on swabs examined in cases of sexual assault. Med Sci Law 18:174–178

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Davies A, Wilson E (1974) The persistence of seminal constituents in the human vagina. Forensic Sci 3:45–55

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Du Chesne A, Bajanowski T, Rand S (1992) Prostaglandin E in Vaginalabstrichen — eine Möglichkeit des Sperm anachweises bei Azoospermie. Arch Kriminol 190:29–35

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Duenhoelter JH, Stone IC, Santos-Ramos R (1979) Klinische und Forensische Untersuchungen bei angeblich vergewaltigten Frauen. Arch Gynecol 228:648–649

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Engelmann UP, Schramek P, Tomamichel G, Deindl F, Senge T (1990) Vasectomy reversal in central Europe: results of a questionnaire of urologists in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. J Urol 143:64–66

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Evans RJ, Herr JC (1986) Immunohistochemical localization of the MHS-5 antigen in principal cells of human seminal vesicle epithelium. Anat Rec 214:372–377

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Fregin W, Rommeiss S, Bernasowski A (1984) Mikroskopische, enzymatische und immunologische Untersuchungen an Vaginalabstrichen — eine Studie zur Zeitabhängigkeit des Nachweises verschiedener Spermabestandteile post coitum. Krim Forens Wiss H 55/56:160–164

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gomez RR, Wunsch CD, Davis JH, Hicks DJ (1975) Qualitative and quantitative determinations of acid phosphatase activity in vaginal washings. Am J Clin Pathol 64:423–432

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Graves HCB, Sensabaugh GF, Blake ET (1985) Postcoital detection of a male-specific semen protein. N Engl J Med 312: 338–343

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Herr JC, Summers TA, McGee RS, Sutherland WM, Sigman M, Evans RJ (1986) Characterization of a monoclonal antibody to a conserved epitope of human seminal vesicle-specific peptides: a novel probe/mark system for semen identification. Biol Reprod 35:773–784

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hooft P, van de Voorde H (1992) Evaluation of the modified zinc test and the acid phosphatase test as preliminary screening methods in sexual assault case material. Forensic Sci Int 53:135–141

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kloosterman AD, Pouw-Arnou M, Persijn JP (1984) Comparison of enzyme assay and radioimmunoassay for the measurement of human acid phosphatase in cases of sexual assault. Forensic Sci Int 25:45–55

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. McGee RS, Herr JC (1988) Human seminal vesicle-specific antigen is a substrate for prostate-specific antigen (or p-30). Biol Reprod 39:499–510

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Müller V, Hinkelmann G (1991) Zum immunologischen Spermanachweis. Arch Kriminol 188:106–109

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Pawlowski R, Brinkmann B (1992) Evaluation of sperm specific lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme C4 (LDH C4) — application to semen detection in stains. Int J Legal Med 105:123–126

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Sensabaugh GF (1978) Isolation and characterization of a semen-specific protein from human seminal plasma: a potential new marker for semen identification. J Forensic Sci 23:106–115

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Springer EE, Laber TL, Randall BB (1988) The examination of vaginally inserted plastic tampon applicators for genetic markers and evidence of prior sexual intercourse. J Forensic Sci 33:1139–1145

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Stiasny H, Generales KDJ (1937) Erbkrankheit and Fertilität. Enke, Stuttgart, pp 21–22

    Google Scholar 

  20. Tsutsumi A, Yamamoto Y, Okamura K, Oki Y, Kunitoh K, Manabe F, Semba S, et al (1989) Identification of human semen by dot-ELISA method for seminal vesicle specific antigen (SVSA). Acta Crim Med Legal Jpn 55:204–212

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Legal Medicine, University of Munich, Frauenlobstrasse 7a, D-80337, München, Germany

    W. Keil

  2. Institute for Legal Medicine, Medical School Hannover, Konstanty-Gutschow-Strasse 8, D-30625, Hannover, Germany

    J. Bachus & H. D. Tröger

Authors
  1. W. Keil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Bachus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. D. Tröger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Keil, W., Bachus, J. & Tröger, H.D. Evaluation of MHS-5 in detecting seminal fluid in vaginal swabs. Int J Leg Med 108, 186–190 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01369789

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01369789

Key words

Search

Navigation