engleski

Semen quality parameters in relation to serum zinc, copper and selenium in men

The relationship between serum zinc (SZn), copper (SCu) and selenium (SSe) and parameters of semen quality was examined in 210 men 19-52 years of age who had never been occupationally exposed to metals. The subjects were randomly selected among those reporting for examination in the andrology unit of the Vuk Vrhovac Clinic in Zagreb. The SZn and SCu measurements were performed by flame AAS method. SSe was measured by electrothermal-AAS method. Parameters of semen quality, including semen volume, immature sperm cells, sperm concentration, sperm count, motility and viability, were determined by using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). Oligozoospermia (sperm concentration < 20 x 10exp6/ml) was observed in 19 (9%) men, asthenozoospermia (sperm motility < 40%) in 52 (25%), oligoasthenozoospermia (sperm concentration < 20 x 10exp6/ml and sperm motility < 40%) in 80 (38%) and normozoospermia (sperm concentration &#8805; 20 x 10exp6/ml and sperm motility &#8805; 40%) in 59 (28%) men. Men with oligoasthenozoospermia showed significantly lower SZn as compared to men with normozoospermia, and significantly lower SSe as compared to men with oligozoospermia. No significant difference between the groups was found for age, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and SCu levels. Results of the Spearman's rank correlation in all 210 subjects showed a significant increase in sperm concentration (p=0.0046), sperm count (p=0.0029), percentage of viable sperm (p=0.049), viable sperm count (p=0.013), motile sperm count (p=0.006) and progressively motile sperm count (p=0.010) with respect to an increase in SZn. These results confirmed beneficial role of zinc in spermatogenesis and sperm motility.

zinc; copper; selenium; semen quality parameters

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