Seminal Plasma Zinc Concentration Research Articles

Sperm evaluation and biochemical characterization of cat seminal plasma collected by electroejaculation and urethral catheterization

This paper aimed to evaluate cat seminal plasma protein profile (with SDS-page) and determine differences in seminal plasma composition from ejaculates obtained using urethral catheterization after pharmacological induction (UrCaPI) and electroejaculation (EE). In addition, this study evaluates whether the recovery method affected seminal plasma protein and zinc concentrations. A single ejaculation was collected from 17 mixed-breed cats by EE (5/21) or UrCaPI (12/21), while 4/21 cats underwent four sperm collections once every four days using EE and UrCaPI techniques alternately. The semen parameters evaluated were: volume, percentage of motility and progressive motility, morphology, and sperm concentration. After centrifugation, the seminal plasma obtained was stored at −80 °C and later used to measure protein and zinc concentrations, and to determine protein profile by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The results obtained indicate that cat seminal plasma protein profile is characterized by many protein bands (>30) with a molecular weight ranging from 3.5 to 200 kDa, and that the recovery method influences the seminal plasma protein profile: EE is related to the absence of two proteins (P55 and P14), and alters three protein bands (P200, P80, P28). The collection technique also affected zinc concentration (mg/dL) and protein concentration (g/dL) which were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in samples collected by UrCaPI; on the contrary the total Zn and protein amount/ejaculate were not significantly different in samples collected by both technique (P < 0.05).

Relationship between seminal plasma zinc concentration and spermatozoa–zona pellucida binding and the ZP-induced acrosome reaction in subfertile men

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between seminal zinc concentration and spermatozoa-zona pellucida (ZP) binding and the ZP-induced acrosome reaction (ZPIAR) in subfertile men. Semen analyses and seminal zinc concentration assessments were carried out according to the World Health Organization manual for 458 subfertile men. A spermatozoa-ZP interaction test was carried out by incubating 2 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa with a group of four unfertilized oocytes obtained from a clinical in vitro fertilization programme. After 2 h of incubation, the number of spermatozoa bound per ZP and the ZPIAR of ZP-bound spermatozoa were examined. The effect of adding 0.5 mmol L(-1) zinc to the media on the ZPIAR of spermatozoa from normozoospermic men was also tested in vitro. Seminal zinc concentration positively correlated with sperm count and duration of abstinence, but negatively correlated with semen volume. On analysis of data from all participants, both spermatozoa-ZP binding and the ZPIAR were significantly correlated with sperm motility and normal morphology, but not with seminal zinc concentration. However, in men with normozoospermic semen, the seminal zinc concentration was significantly higher in men with defective ZPIAR (< 16%) than in those with normal ZPIAR (>or= 16%) (P < 0.01). The addition of 0.5 mmol L(-1) zinc to the culture media had no effect on spermatozoa-ZP binding, but significantly reduced the ZPIAR in vitro (P < 0.001). In conclusion, seminal zinc concentration is correlated with sperm count and the duration of abstinence in subfertile men. In men with normozoospermic semen, high seminal zinc concentration may have an adverse effect on the ZPIAR.

Simple colorimetric method for seminal plasma zinc assay.

Zinc concentration in seminal plasma is one of the best biochemical parameters with which to assess prostatic function in the study of male infertility. Nevertheless, this parameter is not determined in many laboratories because of technical difficulties. In this paper a simple colorimetric method for seminal plasma zinc assay is presented. This assay is performed with only one reagent solution making deproteinization and extraction with organic solvents unnecessary. The method is based on the reaction between 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol and zinc which yields a coloured complex, that is soluble in the reagent solution when dodecyl hydrogen sulfate sodium salt is present. The solubilized complex has an absorbance peak at 560 nm. The accuracy of this method is proved by statistical comparison with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Furthermore, the method has a good precision and is free of interference.

Zinc levels in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men

Zinc levels were measured in seminal plasma from 78 men classified on the basis of spermogram analyses into five groups: normo-, oligo-, astheno-, oligoastheno- and azoospermia. Higher zinc levels were found in seminal plasma from the group of asthenozoospermia men in comparison to normo-, oligoastheno- (p less than 0.001), oligo- and azoospermia men (p less than 0.01), while no significant differences appeared when other group pairs were compared. Seminal plasma zinc levels were positively correlated with sperm density (r = 0.6358, p less than 0.01) in asthenozoospermia men, whereas a significant negative correlation was seen in all groups between percentage forms showing normal progressive motility and zinc concentration in seminal plasma. Although zinc is required in seminal plasma for normal spermatozoon functionality, excessively high levels of this ion may be related with defective motility in asthenozoospermia samples.

Concentration of blood and seminal plasma elements and their relationships with semen parameters in men with spinal cord injury

The relationship of calcium, magnesium, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations in blood and seminal plasma on sperm parameters of spinal cord-injured (SCI) men and of normal controls was determined. The study included 93 SCI men and 145 neurologically intact men. Colorimetric and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometers were used. Seminal Zc and Cu had a relationship with sperm motility in SCI men.

The Major Bactericidal Activity of Human Seminal Plasma Is Zinc-Dependent and Derived from Fragmentation of the Semenogelins

One of the major roles of seminal plasma is to provide antimicrobial protection for the spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract. We found that the bactericidal activity of seminal plasma was highest after resolution of the seminal clot and that this antibacterial activity subsequently became greatly diminished. The antibacterial activity was derived from peptides generated by fragmentation of the semenogelins while the semenogelin holoproteins displayed no antibacterial activity. After ejaculation the semenogelin-derived peptides were fragmented to smaller and smaller fragments over time and thereby lost antibacterial activity. This paralleled the loss of antibacterial activity of whole seminal plasma both in vitro and after sexual intercourse. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the semenogelin-derived peptides generated in seminal plasma was strictly zinc-dependent both at neutral and low pH. These data provide novel roles for the resolution of seminal clots and for the high zinc concentration in human seminal plasma.

Assessment of semen function and lipid peroxidation among lead exposed men

The study population included healthy, fertile men, employees of Zinc and Lead Metalworks ( n = 63). Workers exposed to lead were divided into two groups: a group with moderate exposure to lead (ME) — blood lead level (PbB) 25–40 μg/dl and a group with high exposure to lead (HE) PbB = 40–81 μg/dl. The control group consisted of office workers with no history of occupational exposure to lead. Evaluation of lead, cadmium and zinc level in blood and seminal plasma, zinc protoporphyrin in blood (ZPP), 5-aminolevulinic acid in urine (ALA), malondialdehyde (MDA) in seminal plasma and sperm analysis were performed. No differences were noted in the concentration of cadmium and zinc in blood and seminal plasma in the study population. Lipid peroxidation in seminal plasma, represented as MDA concentration, significantly increased by about 56% in the HE group and the percentage of motile sperm cells after 1 h decreased by about 34% in comparison to the control group. No statistically significant correlation between other parameters of sperm analysis and lead exposure parameters nor between lead, cadmium and zinc concentration in blood and seminal plasma were found. A positive association between lead intoxication parameters (PbB, ZPP, lead seminal plasma) and MDA concentration in sperm plasma and inverse correlation with sperm cells motility (PbB, ZPP) was found. An increased concentration of MDA was accompanied by a drop in sperm cells motility. In conclusion, we report that high exposure to lead causes a decrease of sperm motility in men most likely as a result of increased lipid peroxidation, especially if the level in the blood surpasses the concentration of 40 μg/dl.

Seminal Plasma Zinc Concentration and α-Glucosidase Activity with Respect to Semen Quality

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the concentration of zinc and neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) with semen quality. Semen samples from 75 male partners of couples who were attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department were analyzed for semen quality. Based on sperm count, the subjects were divided into three groups. Zinc and neutral alpha-glucosidase activity were estimated in seminal plasma. Results showed that mean the alpha-glucosidase activity was lowest among the azoospermic group with respect to oligozoospermic and normozoospermic groups. Mean zinc levels were also lower among azoospermics compared to oligozoospermic and normospermic groups. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between zinc levels and sperm count (r = 0.29, p < 0.05) and zinc and alpha-glucosidase activity (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) in seminal plasma. These results suggest that zinc and neutral alpha-glucosidase seem to play an important role in human reproduction.

Relationship of serum and seminal plasma zinc levels and serum testosterone in oligospermic and azoospermic infertile men.

To measure the zinc level in fertile and infertile population and to find out relationship of serum and seminal plasma zinc levels and serum testosterone in oligospermic and azoospermic infertile men. Comparative study. The Infertility Clinic, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, from January 2002-July 2003. Fifty-eight primary infertile male subjects, without any treatment, who had regular unprotected intercourse for at least 12 months without conception with their partners, aged 20-40 years, having normal and regular menstrual cycles without any uterine pathology or hormonal disturbance were selected from Infertile Clinic, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. After semen analyses, they were grouped as, oligospermic (30), and azoospermic (28). Twentyfive known fertile male selected from general population (their spouse had given birth to a child within one year) and after semen analysis were taken as normospermic control group . Semen analyzed according to WHO criteria and serum and seminal plasma zinc was estimated by 5Br. PAPS colorimetric method. Serum testosterone, LH, and FSH were measured by ELISA, using kits supplied by Diagnostic System Laboratories (DSL), U.S.A. The mean value for testosterone was significantly low in oligospermic, (8.04 -/+ 0.76) and azoospermic subjects (7.14 -/+ 0.27) as compared to normospermic (9.90 -/+ 0.14) control groups (p<0.05, p<0.001 respectively), serum LH (p<0.05, p<0.001 respectively) and FSH (p<0.05) were significantly higher than normospermic control group. Serum and seminal plasma zinc levels was low in oligospermic, and azoospermic subjects when compared with normospermic control groups (p<0.05, p<0.001 respectively). This suggests its involvement in spermatogenesis and infertility in such patients. Seminal zinc level has weak correlation with testosterone in oligospermic (r=0.44, p<0.05) and with serum zinc in azoospermic subjects (r=0.49, p<0.05) while no correlation was observed with LH and FSH in all the groups. In this study, there was significant decrease in serum and seminal plasma zinc levels in oligospermic and azoospermic infertile males with significantly low androgen. It indicates zinc has a possible role for spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. Therefore, zinc concentration in seminal plasma should be considered as one of the factors responsible for decreased testicular function in infertile male subjects.

The impact of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in blood and seminal plasma on semen parameters in men

To investigate the impact of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in blood and seminal plasma on semen parameters, 107 fertile and 103 subfertile males provided a standardized blood and semen specimen. Total calcium and magnesium concentrations were determined with colorimetric end point assay procedures. Zinc and copper were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines (1992). The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper in blood and seminal plasma were not different between the subfertile and fertile group. Weak correlations were demonstrated between blood plasma zinc concentrations and sperm count (r s = 0.18), sperm motility (r s = 0.15), and abnormal sperm morphology (r s = 0.13). Zinc and magnesium concentrations in seminal plasma correlated weakly with sperm count (r s = 0.17 and r s = 0.16, respectively), and copper concentrations in blood plasma with motility (r s = 0.25). Strong correlations were found between calcium, magnesium, and zinc in seminal plasma. Although calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper play an essential role in spermatogenesis and fertility, the determination of these elements in blood and seminal plasma does not discriminate on the basis of fertility in this group of men.

Characterization of rainbow trout milt collected with a catheter: semen parameters and cryopreservation success

Collection of fish milt by stripping risks the danger of milt contamination by urine. This may seriously influence milt characteristics and quality, including usefulness for cryopreservation. Urine contamination of milt may be avoided by using a catheter for sperm collection. The objectives of this study were to provide basic characteristics of milt collected with a catheter, to test the usefulness of this milt for cryopreservation, and to correlate characteristics of fresh and cryopreserved semen with sperm fertility rates. Milt from 25 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) males were used. All samples were cryopreserved using the pellet method within 1 h of collection, using 0.6 m sucrose and 10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as an extender. Catheterization resulted in semen of very good motility (> 90% motile spermatozoa) and high fertilization rates after cryopreservation (mean fertilization rate 81.8 ± 13.3% of control, at a sperm/egg ratio of 2.4 ± 0.3 × 106). Osmolality of seminal plasma and concentrations of sodium, potassium and magnesium ions had low variability, which suggests that they are important for creating a stable environment for sperm storage in the sperm duct. Higher variability of certain seminal plasma characteristics, such as protein concentration and antiproteinase activity, suggests that these characteristics are related to individual semen features of particular males. A strong correlation of seminal plasma zinc concentration with protein concentration may reflect an importance of zinc in semen biology. Cryopreservation caused a significant release of protein and acid phosphatase from spermatozoa. Our results did not reveal any single characteristic of semen collected by catheter that could be used as a powerful predictor of cryopreservation success, presumably because all samples were of high quality.

Comparison of zinc concentrations in blood and seminal plasma and the various sperm parameters between fertile and infertile men.

The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between concentrations of zinc in blood and seminal plasma and sperm quality among infertile and fertile men. One hundred seven male (infertile group) partners of couples who were undergoing investigation for infertility with no known cause for the infertility and 103 men (fertile group) whose wives were pregnant at the time of the study were recruited. The subjects' blood and seminal plasma concentration of zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Except for semen volume, all the other semen parameters for the infertile men were significantly lower than those for the fertile group. The geometric means of the seminal plasma zinc concentration were significantly lower in the infertile group compared with those in the fertile group; 183.6 mg/L (range, 63-499) versus 274.6 mg/L (range, 55-420). There were no significant differences in the geometric means of the blood zinc concentration between the 2 groups. Seminal plasma zinc concentration was significantly correlated with sperm density (r = 0.341, P < .0001), motility (r = 0.253, P < .0001), and viability (r = 0.286, P < .0001). On the basis of the findings of this study and those of other reports, zinc may contribute to fertility through its positive effect on spermatogenesis.

Relationship between zinc concentrations in seminal plasma and various sperm parameters.

The zinc concentration in seminal plasma from 98 infertile male patients and 8 fertile males was measured. The zinc concentration of the seminal plasma in azoospermic and oligoasthenozoospermic patients was significantly lower than that in the other groups (each, p<0.05 ). The seminal plasma zinc concentration in asthenozoospermic males was significantly higher than that in any other group (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation of zinc concentration with sperm concentration (r=0.33, p<0.05) and with sperm motility (r=0.22, p<0.05), while there was no correlation with sperm morphology. A correlation between zinc concentration and plasma testosterone concentration was observed (r=0.24, p<0.05). It is concluded that excessively high zinc concentration is apparently related to defective motility in asthenozoospermic patients, even though adequate seminal plasma content of the element is required for normal sperm function.

Effects of sperm activity on zinc and fructose concentrations in seminal plasma.

Attempts to correlate zinc and fructose concentrations in seminal plasma with andrological parameters have produced inconsistent results. To assess further this relationship, a prospective study was performed measuring zinc and fructose concentrations in seminal plasma in 1178 patients referred for fertility treatment. Seminal analysis was performed with biochemical measurements of seminal zinc and fructose. The main outcome measures were the correlation between motile sperm concentration and seminal zinc and fructose concentrations. Zinc concentrations were not influenced by the motile sperm concentration (r = 0.039). Fructose concentrations were found to be negatively correlated with motile sperm concentration (r = 0.062). We conclude that seminal plasma zinc is an unreliable marker of spermatogenic activity. While there does appear to be a negative correlation between seminal plasma fructose concentrations and motile sperm concentration this relationship is far from linear. Due to the biochemical complexity of seminal fluid attempts to perform such simple correlations between seminal plasma components and andrological parameters are likely to produce inconsistent results and their role in the assessment of sperm function must therefore be called into question.

Phospholipase A Activity in Seminal Plasma of Men Attending an Infertility Clinic

Seminal plasma from 40 men attending an infertility clinic was analyzed for phospholipase A activity and compared with serum from 20 healthy blood donors. The imprecision of the method was acceptable and the overall coefficient of variation was 8.1%. A huge discrepancy existed between seminal plasma and blood serum with regard to phospholipase A activity, the former fluid displaying on average a 180-fold higher activity than the latter. Preincubation of seminal plasma for 1 h at 37 degrees C resulted in an even higher phospholipase A activity while the corresponding activity in serum remained unchanged by such a treatment. This suggested the existence of a zymogen form of phospholipase A in seminal plasma. A significant correlation existed between sperm concentration and phospholipase A activity in seminal plasma (r = 0.46; p less than 0.01) and preincubated seminal plasma samples from normozoospermic men displayed a significantly higher mean value than those of azoospermic men. Phospholipase A activity also correlated significantly to zinc concentration in seminal plasma (r = 0.67; p less than 0.001). 4-Bromophenacyl bromide was inhibitory to a certain extent, the inhibition being most evident in the samples with high phospholipase A activity. Dibucaine and quinacrine, known phospholipase inhibitors in other systems, had no inhibitory effects. Only 58% of the seminal plasma samples contained measurable amounts of triglycerides. No significant correlation existed between triglyceride concentration and phospholipase A activity, r = 0.11.

Zinc sulfate therapy for infertile male with or without varicocelectomy

One hundred one men were treated for infertility with 440 mg of zinc sulfate daily for sixty days to two years. All subjects demonstrated low seminal plasma zinc concentrations prior to treatment. Patients were divided into two groups: group [Zn], 65 subjects who underwent zinc therapy alone and group (Var/Zn], 36 subjects who received zinc sulfate therapy after varicocelectomy. In both groups seminal zinc levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) two months after the initiation of zinc therapy. There were no significant changes in sperm count or motility for the [Zn] patients. However, group (Var/Zn] showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) of sperm motility at two months and twelve months after starting zinc sulfate therapy. We separated the [VarlZn] patients into two sub-divisions: those who impregnated their wives after therapy, and those who remained infertile despite treatment. Only those patients who impregnated their wives showed a significant ( P < 0.05) increase in sperm motility two months after the initiation of zinc therapy. Those patients of the [Var/Zn] group who remained infertile despite treatment showed a significant increase ( P < 0.05) in sperm motility after twelve months of therapy. Of the [Zn] patients 27.7 per cent (18) successfully impregnated their wives, while the [Var/Zn] patients exhibited pregnancy rate of 50 per cent (18 patients These data indicate that zinc sulfate therapy for patients with low seminal zinc concentrations may be an effective treatment for infertile patients especially after varicocelectomy.

Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy have no Effect on Seminal Plasma Zinc Concentrations

Mean zinc concentrations were determined for human seminal plasma obtained from 110 nonvasectomized men (139μg. per ml.), 43 recently vasectomized men (144μg. per ml.), 25 long-term vasectomized men (139μg. per ml.) and 25 men who had undergone vasovasostomy (129μg. per ml.). The results indicate that there is no significant short-term or long-term effect of these surgical procedures on prostatic secretory function as measured by seminal plasma zinc concentration.

A comparative study of zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead levels in fertile and infertile men

Eighty infertile men and 38 men of known fertility were studied for investigation of both the importance of zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead to fertility and the possible interrelationships between these trace elements. The infertile men had higher mean concentrations of plasma copper than those of proven fertility. The difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.01) but was of small magnitude (approximately 1.5 mumol mean difference). The concentrations of plasma zinc, erythrocyte zinc, whole blood lead and cadmium, and seminal plasma zinc and copper did not differ significantly between infertile and fertile men. There was a significant positive relationship between sperm density and seminal plasma zinc concentration in the fertile, but not in the infertile, men. The infertile men with antisperm antibodies or counts greater than 20 million/ml had significantly higher mean levels of seminal plasma zinc than infertile men with oligospermia. The higher semen zinc in these two groups may reflect an abnormal fragility of the spermatozoa, resulting in the release of zinc, but the absence of significant overall differences between fertile and infertile men suggests that measurement of the concentration of zinc in plasma or zinc and copper in seminal plasma has little value in the routine investigation of infertility.

Comparison of the Antispermatogenic Effects of a New D-Homo-Steroid and Testosterone in Rabbits

In comparison to testosterone, 18 beta-hydroxy-18 alpha-methyl-16 alpha-methylene-D-homo-5 alpha-androstane-3-one (D-homo-S) shows more pronounced anti-gonadotrophic than androgenic properties in rats. The present study was initiated in rabbits to investigate the potential of D-homo-S to suppress spermatogenesis. D-homo-S in sesame oil was administered at the doses of 0.1 (DI), 3 (D II) or 10 mg (D III) per rabbit each day for 8 weeks. During treatment serum testosterone, sperm concentration and quality of sperm motility decreased, whereas sex drive, semen volume and seminal plasma concentrations of fructose and zinc were not changed in any of the groups. Testicular weight and intratesticular testosterone concentration decreased significantly in groups D II and D III, while weights of accessory sex glands increased in those groups. Testosterone in the same dose regimen did not suppress sperm count, motility or serum testosterone, however, seminal plasma zinc concentration in group T III and fructose in group TI increased. Testicular weight and intratesticular testosterone concentration decreased in group TIII only. On the other hand, the weight of the accessory sex glands increased in the same group. In conclusion, D-homo-S suppresses spermatogenesis and increases accessory sex gland weights at doses, when testosterone is still ineffective. Thus, in rabbits D-homo-S appears to be a more potent androgen than testosterone but a dissociation between antigonadotrophic and androgenic properties could not be observed.

THE EFFECT OF A 15-H PHOTOPERIOD ON REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN BOARS AT 2, 3, 4 OR 5 MONTHS OF AGE

The effects of supplemental lighting in stimulating reproductive function in prepuberal boars were studied using littermate boars divided equally into four groups (n = 9). All boars received natural daylight (9.2–12.8 h) until 2 mo of age, followed by artificial light given daily according to the following schedule: boars were exposed to a 15-h photoperiod beginning at the age of 2 (group I); 3 (group II); 4 (group III) or 5 mo (group IV). Libido scores of the four groups increased with age (P &lt; 0.001). Seminal plasma protein (P &lt; 0.01) and zinc concentration (P &lt; 0.05), sperm-rich concentration, sperm-rich volume, total semen volume and total viable sperm increased (P &lt; 0.05) with age in all four groups. The photoperiod treatment had no effect on semen quality on a per ejaculate basis between the groups; 15 h of light per day was not effective in accelerating the onset of puberty when administered from 2, 3, 4 or 5 mo of age onward.