EFFECT OF TOTAL AND IONIZED CALCIUM LEVELS OF SEMINAL FLUID ON SPERM MOTILITY

Total and ionized calcium (Ca2+) levels of seminal fluid were assessed in 75 semen samples obtained from infertile patients and fertile pati ents referred to our clinic with different complaints. Patients who sh owed only motility disorders on sperm analysis were include into the s tudy program. Forty-five patients showing hypomotility (motility <60%) and 30 patients with normal motility (motility greater than or equal to 60%) on sperm analysis were evaluated comparatively. No significant difference was observed in the seminal fluid concentration of total c alcium, regardless of spermatozoa motility immediately after ejaculati on. However, the seminal fluid of men with hypomotility exhibited a si gnificantly lower Ca2+ concentration (p < 0.05) when compared with tha t of men with normal motility. A significant difference was observed i n the seminal fluid Ca2+/total calcium rate (p < 0.05) when compared w ith that of men with normal motility. Further, spermatozoa from men wi th hypomotility exhibited both a significantly lower progression rate and sperm count. Our study suggests a direct relationship between Ca2 and sperm motility.