Seminal plasma fructose, zinc, magnesium and acid phosphatase in cases of male infertility.

Determinations of fructose, zinc, magnesium and acid phosphatase were performed in seminal plasma from male partners in 225 barren couples. No specific changes in the concentrations of these substances could be observed in men showing either visible or palpatory abnormalities of the external genitals, the prostate or of the seminal vesicles, extreme changes in the number, morphology or motility of the sperms, increased sperm antibody titre or abnormal serum levels of testosterone or gonadotrophins. However, when the prostatic fluid contained numerous leukocytes, the concentrations of zinc, magnesium and acid phosphatase were significantly lower than in men having a cytologically normal prostatic fluid. Determinations of these substances may thus be of aid in the diagnosis of chronic prostatovesiculitis.