Seminal zinc and copper levels in fertile and infertile men

Abstract EN

This study was carried out to estimate the level of zinc and copper in seminal fluid of fertile and infertile men and their relation to seminal parameter.

Seminal fluid samples were collected from 107 infertile men in Basrah Maternity and Child Hospital during 2002.

Also, samples were obtained from 17 fertile men to act as a control group.

Their ages ranged from 25-45 years.

Seminal fluid analysis was done for sperm count, motility and morphology.

Zinc and copper levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Sperm density, motility and morphology were significantly higher in fertile than in infertile men.

A lower concentration of seminal zinc was found among the infertile men in comparing to the fertile men with statistical difference.

In contrast, the mean concentration of copper in the fertile men was lower than In the infertile men, although statistically was not significant.

Therefore, low zinc concentration was apparently related to the defect observed in sperm count and motility.

There were no significant differences in seminal copper concentration between fertile and infertile men.

Its relationship to infertility is unclear.

Lastly, zinc supplementation may share a part in the treatment of male infertility.