Seminal plasma magnesium, calcium and inorganic phosphate concentration in normozoospermic and subfertile men.

Abstract

The relationship of seminal plasma Mg, Ca and inorganic phosphate concentration to various parametres of seminal quality was evaluated in 41 normozoospermic and 102 dysspermic men with or without accessory gland infection. Ca concentration in asthenozoospermic and oligozoospermic patients was lower than in normozoospermic men and was positively correlated with Mg concentration irrespectively of seminal quality or the presence of infection. Mg concentration in normozoospermic or in oligozoospermic patients with infection was lower than in normozoospermic men without infection but higher in azoospermic men. Mg was negatively correlated to pH and both Mg and Ca concentrations were related to acid phosphatase levels. Inorganic P was higher in asthenozoospermic but lower in azoospermic patients than in normozoospermic men. In astheno-, oligo- and azoospermic men, P was positively correlated with fructose. In patients with accessory gland infection, successful treatment resulted in a significant concentration rise of all three elements. It is concluded that, from a diagnostic point of view, estimations of these elements, particularly of Mg and P, in seminal plasma reflect satisfactorily the functional capacity of the accessory glands of the genital system and the response to treatment in dysspermia associated with infection.