Status of Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Seminal Plasma of Male Infertility and Their Correlation with Various Sperm Parameters

*Dept. of Physiological Chemistry, College of Medicine, Univ. of Baghdad. **Institute of Emberyo Research and Infertility,Univ. of ALNahrain. ***Poisoning Consultation Center. ****Institute of Emberyo Research and Infertility,Univ. of ALNahrain. *****Al-Mussaib Hospital history, life style of society and cultural background of people it affect (1) . Infertility affects approximately 8% to 12% of the world's population and in about half of cases male are either the single cause of or contribute the couple's infertility (2) . More than 90% of male infertility cases are due to low sperm counts ,poor sperm quality ,or both . In 30-40% of cases of sperm abnormlities ,the cause is unknown . It may be the end result of one or more factors that include chronic illness ,malnutrition ,genetic defects ,structural ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Human semen contains high concentrations of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in bound and ionic forms . The presence of abnormal levels of these trace elements may affect spermatogenesis with regard to production , maturation , motility , and fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa. The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of Zn and Cu in seminal plasma in different groups of male infertility and to correlate their concentrations with various semen parameters. METHODS: Forty primary infertile male individuals ,who had regular unprotected intercourse for at least one year without conception with their partners ,aged 25-40 years were involved in the present study . After seminal plasma fluid analyses they were grouped as, azoospermic (n=12), oligoasthenozoospermic (n=16) ,and teratozoospermic (n=12) . Twelve fertile males selected from general population and after seminal fluid investigation were taken as normospermic control group . Zinc and Copper concentrations in separated seminal plasma of each infertile male and fertile control subject were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: This study showed significant decrease of seminal plasma Zn mean (+SEM) value in oligoasthenozoospermic infertile males than in fertile male controls (p<0.037) . In azoospermic males, the mean (+SEM) value of seminal plasma Zn levels was decreased (but still beyond the significant level,p=0.08) when compared with that of fertile males. With regard to seminal plasma copper level there was insignificant decrease in its level in azoospermic males and insignificant increase in its concentration in oligoasthenozoospermic and in teratozoospermic males when compared with that of healthy fertile males.In addition, there was a significant decrease in seminal plasma copper concentration in azoospermic males than in oligoasthenozoospermic males (p<0.035). The results also revealed a significant positive correlation between the sperm motility values and the seminal plasma zinc levels in oligoasthenozoospermic group(r=0.68, p<0.022) along with a significant negative correlation between sperm morphology values and zinc seminal plasma levels in teratozoospermic group (r=-0.63,p<0.049). CONCLUSION: On the basis of the findings of this study, it seems that the estimation of seminal plasma levels of zinc and copper may aid in investigation and treatment of infertile males.