Correlation of the zinc level in the spermoplasm with the fertility characteristics of human ejaculate

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Abstract

Background: Zinc is essential for the normal functioning of the male reproductive system. The data on the diagnostic value of the zinc level in the human spermoplasm and its relationship with the main parameters of the sperm fertility are contradictory.

Aim: study of the correlations between the zinc level in the spermoplasm and the spermogram characteristics.

Methods: The sperm of men of the reproductive age (n=486, average age 33.07±3.03 years) was studied. In addition to the standard spermogram, MAR tests (IgA, IgG and IgM) were performed in the sperm samples, the degree of fragmentation of the sperm DNA, the sperm interaction with hyaluronic acid, the acrosine activity, and the neutral alpha-glucosidase activity were assessed, the citric acid, fructose and glycodelin levels were determined, and the level of reactive oxygen species was studied. The zinc level determination in the spermoplasm was carried out by a standard spectrophotometric method with 5-Br-PAPS chromogen. The Pearson's formula was used for the correlation analysis. The study was conducted from 2018 to May 2022, once.

Results: A significant negative correlation of the zinc level in the spermoplasm with the age of men was revealed (r=-0.16; p <0.001). The level of zinc in the spermoplasm weakly negatively correlated with the dilution time and with the viscosity of the sperm. The positive correlation was found with the number of spermatozoa (r=0.13; p <0.01) and their mobility (r=0.38; p <0.00001). The level of zinc in the spermoplasm negatively correlated with the degree of the sperm DNA fragmentation and with the amount of reactive oxygen species, and positively correlated with the results of the test for binding to hyaluronic acid.

Conclusions: The level of zinc in the spermoplasm significantly correlates with a number of physiological and biochemical characteristics of the sperm. The data obtained allow us to recommend determination of the zinc level in the sperm plasma to not only assess the functional activity of the prostate gland, but also to diagnose the fertility of the ejaculate, as well as to optimize the therapy with zinc-containing drugs and improve the control over the effectiveness of the treatment.

About the authors

Dmitry L. Lutsky

Astrakhan State Medical University; Laboratory "DIAMED-Express" REPRODIAMED

Author for correspondence.
Email: dmitry.lutsky@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1412-3322

MD, PhD, Assitant Professor

Russian Federation, Astrakhan; Astrakhan

Adela M. Lutskaya

Astrakhan State Medical University; Laboratory "DIAMED-Express" REPRODIAMED

Email: amm80@bk.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7094-6331

MD, PhD, Assistant

Russian Federation, Astrakhan; Astrakhan

Ramil M. Mahmudov

Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry named after A.I. Evdokimov

Email: ramilmahmudov@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8565-4788
Russian Federation, Moscow

Elena V. Palkina

Alexander-Mariinsky Regional Clinical Hospital

Email: krdlab@rambler.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8316-7989
Russian Federation, Astrakhan

Andrej I. Polunin

Regional Skin and Venereological Dispensary

Email: v.pankratenkova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3491-8349
SPIN-code: 3218-6090

MD, PhD

Russian Federation, Astrakhan

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Correlation of zinc levels with sperm parameters according to the literature. Frequency of zinc relationship with the amount (a); morphology (б) and motility (в) of spermatozoa; (г) — methods for determining zinc in spermoplasm.

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3. Fig. 2. The average level of zinc in the spermoplasm in men of different age groups.

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4. Рис. 1. Взаимосвязь уровня цинка с параметрами спермоплазмы по данным литературы. Частота выявления взаимосвязи с количеством (a); морфологией (б) и подвижностью (в) сперматозоидов; (г) — методы определения цинка в спермоплазме.

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5. Рис. 2. Средний уровень цинка в спермоплазме у мужчин разных возрастных групп.

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Copyright (c) 2023 Lutsky D.L., Lutskaya A.M., Mahmudov R.M., Palkina E.V., Polunin A.I.

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