Zinc as an essential micronutrient : A review

http://www.repro-endo.usz.ch/Documents/fachwissen/andrologielabor/Wong%20et%20al%202001.pdf

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

Studies confirm that male sperm counts are declining, and environmental factors, such as pesticides, exogenous estrogens, and heavy metals may negatively impact spermatogenesis. A number of nutritional therapies have been shown to improve sperm counts and sperm motility, including carnitine, arginine, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B-12. Numerous antioxidants have also proven beneficial in treating male infertility, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, and coenzyme Q10. Acupuncture, as well as specific botanical medicines, have been documented in several studies as having a positive effect on sperm parameters. A multi-faceted therapeutic approach to improving male fertility involves identifying harmful environmental and occupational risk factors, while correcting underlying nutritional imbalances to encourage optimal sperm production and function.

Male infertility: nutritional and environmental considerations.

Trace elements in blood and seminal plasma and their relationship to sperm quality

Safety assessment of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) released from PVC medical devices

Zinc is necessary for growth, sexual maturation and reproduction. Because high concentrations of zinc are found in the male reproductive system, a relationship between zinc and male infertility has be

Serum and semen zinc levels in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men.

Summary: Semen samples (split & whole ejaculates) were obtained from 12 normal men (group A) and 8 oligospermic infertile men with sperm concentrations of less than 20 times 106 sperm/ml (group B). All samples were evaluated by standard semen analysis, bovine cervical mucus penetration assay (CMPT), and, in all cases with sufficient sperm, in the human spermatozoa zona-free hamster in vitro penetration assay (SPA).



In group A the motile sperm concentration was significantly higher in the ejaculated material of the first two contractions (fraction I or FI) than in the remainder of the ejaculate (fraction II or FII) (p < 0.02). No significant differences were observed in sperm penetration into zona-free hamster ova or bovine cervical mucus by sperm from FI, FII or the whole ejaculate. Motile sperm concentration was significantly correlated with sperm penetration into bovine cervical mucus (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), but not into zona-free hamster ova (r = 0.01 NS). In the samples collected by group B, the mean sperm concentration and motile sperm concentration were higher in the first (FI) than in the second (FII) fractions of the split ejaculate or the whole ejaculate (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found among the FI, FII and the whole ejaculate semen samples for penetration of sperm into bovine cervical mucus. Sperm concentration and motile sperm concentration were significantly correlated with sperm penetration into bovine cervical mucus (r = 0.58, p < 0.01 and r = 0.57, p < 0.01, respectively).



Our results suggest that the lack of efficacy of the technique of split ejaculate for AIH may be due to lack of effective enrichment of the first fraction with functionally enhanced sperm. If the split ejaculate technique is attempted, we recommend that the fraction with the highest motile sperm concentration be used.



Zusammenfassung:  Von 12 normalen Mannern (Gruppe A) und 8 infertilen Mannern mit Oligozoospermie bei Spermatozoenkonzentrationen von weniger als 20 times 106/ml (Gruppe B) wurden Samenproben (Split- und vollstandige Ejakulate) untersucht. Alle Sa-menproben wurden untersucht mit Standard-Samen Analyse, Rinderzervikalschleim-Pene-trationsassay (CMPT) und in alien Fallen mit hinreichendem Samen im Humanspermato-zoen-zonafreies-Hamsterei-Penetrationsassay (SPA).



In Gruppe A war die Konzentration motiler Spermatozoen signifikant hoher in dem ejakulierten Material der ersten zwei Kontraktionen (Fraktionen I oder FI) als im Rest des Ejakulates (Fraktion II oder FII) (p <0.02).



des Ejakulates (Fraktion II oder FII) (p < 0.02). Keine signifikanten Unterschiede wur-den bei der Spermienpenetration in zonafreie Hamstereier oder in Rinderzervix-schleim mit Spermatozoen von FI, FII oder dem ganzen Ejakulat beobachtet. Die Konzentration beweglicher Spermatozoen war signifikant korreliert mit der Spermatozoenpe-netration in Rinderzervixschleim (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), dagegen nicht mit der Penetration in zonafreie Hamstereizellen (r = 0.01 NS). In den von den in Gruppe B gewonnenen Pro-ben war die mittlere Spermienkonzentration und die Konzentration beweglicher Spermatozoen in der ersten (FI) hoher als in der zweiten (FII) Fraktion des portionierten Ejaku-lats oder als im Gesamtejakulat (p < 0.05). Zwischen FI, FII und dem Gesamtejakulat (p < 0.05). Zwischen FI, FII und dem Gesamtejakulat in Bezug auf die Spermienpenetration in Rinderzervixschleim wurden keine signifikanten Unterschiede gefunden. Spermienkonzentration und Konzentration beweglicher Spermatozoen waren signifikant korreliert mit der Spermienpenetration in Rinderzervixschleim (r = 0.58, p < 0.01 und r = 0.57, p< 0.01).



Unsere Resultate zeigen, das der Mangel der Effektivitat der Technik des Split-Ejaku-lates fur AIH auf die uneffektive Anreicherung funktionell hochwertiger Spermatozoen in der ersten Fraktion zuruckzufuhren sein mag. Wenn das Split-Ejakulat versucht wird, emp-fehlen wir, die Fraktion mit der hochsten Konzentration beweglicher Spermatozoen zu verwenden.

Carole I. Madding

Papers

Serum and semen zinc levels in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic men.

The split ejaculate: assessment of fertility potential using two in vitro test systems.