M.G. Skal-naya, V.V. Yurasov, V.A. Demidov

Male infertility is a common and complex problem affecting about 7 % of all men. The underlying mechanism in a half of cases is unknown. We detected and analyzed the contents of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in ejaculate of 148 health and subfertile men 1949 y.o. with the ICP-MS spectrometer (Optima-900, USA). Semen characteristics (motility, coefficient of mobility, viability, morphology, concentration of spermatozoa, volume) were recorded. Selenium (Se) in ejaculate correlates with a good spermatozoa concentrations, vitality, and morphology. A decrease in Zn concentration was associated with motility of spermatozoa. The ratio Zn/Cu and content of Zn, Se and Mg in asthenozoospermia, leukozoospermia was obviously lower than those were in normozoospermia. Abnormally high ratio immotile/progressive motility of spermatozoa (D/A, %) was found in oligoasthenozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and leukozoospermia. A significant positive correlation between lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe) and coefficient of motility was observed. Additionally, a significant negative correlation between Zn and this parameter was obtained. In conclusion, a study should be conducted to evaluate the benefits of trace elements supplementation to improve seminal parameters in infertile and subfertile men.

 

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