SIGNIFICANCE OF TRACE-ELEMENTS IN SEMINAL PLASMA OF INFERTILE MEN

The seminal fluid has the important function as a vehicle for the tran sportation of the spermatozoa through the epididymis, the vas deferens , and urethra and into the vagina. Major changes in the level of trace elements like zinc, magnesium, and cadmium in semen appear to be rela ted to abnormal spermatozoal function and fertilizing capacity. The ai m of the study was to evaluate the pattern of trace elements in semen of subfertile men compared to levels in the blood. The relationship of the trace elements with spermatozoal parameters was also evaluated. A s part of the infertility evaluation, semen acid blood samples were co llected from 50 males attending the combined infertility clinic at a m aternity hospital after 3 days' abstinence. Semen analysis and hypo-os motic swelling tests were done on fresh semen samples. The serum and r emaining semen sample were stored at -20 degrees C until they were ana lyzed with atomic absorption spectrometry. No significant differences occurred in the levels of trace elements in normozoospermic, oligosper mic, and azoospermic semen. However, significantly high levels of cadm ium were detected in semen of men who were smokers and had asthenozoos permia (p < 0.001) compared with those who had normal motility. We con clude that the high level of cadmium in smokers with asthenozoospermia is evidence of the possible toxic effect of this trace element and th is may be one of the causes of asthenozoospermia.