Omu A E, Dashti H, Mohamed A T, Mattappallil A B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.
Nutrition. 1995 Sep-Oct;11(5 Suppl):502-5.
The seminal fluid has the important function as a vehicle for the transportation of the spermatozoa through the epididymis, the vas deferens, and urethra and into the vagina. Major changes in the level of trace elements like zinc, magnesium, and cadmium in semen appear to be related to abnormal spermatozoal function and fertilizing capacity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pattern of trace elements in semen of subfertile men compared to levels in the blood. The relationship of the trace elements with spermatozoal parameters was also evaluated. As part of the infertility evaluation, semen and blood samples were collected from 50 males attending the combined infertility clinic at a maternity hospital after 3 days' abstinence. Semen analysis and hypo-osmotic swelling tests were done on fresh semen samples. The serum and remaining semen sample were stored at -20 degrees C until they were analyzed with atomic absorption spectrometry. No significant differences occurred in the levels of trace elements in normozoospermic, oligospermic, and azoospermic semen. However, significantly high levels of cadmium were detected in semen of men who were smokers and had asthenozoospermia (p < 0.001) compared with those who had normal motility. We conclude that the high level of cadmium in smokers with asthenozoospermia is evidence of the possible toxic effect of this trace element and this may be one of the causes of asthenozoospermia.
精液具有重要功能，可作为载体，将精子通过附睾、输精管、尿道运输至阴道。精液中锌、镁、镉等微量元素水平的重大变化似乎与精子功能异常和受精能力有关。本研究的目的是评估不育男性精液中微量元素的模式，并与血液中的水平进行比较。还评估了微量元素与精子参数的关系。作为不孕症评估的一部分，在一家妇产医院的综合不孕症门诊，对50名禁欲3天后前来就诊的男性采集了精液和血液样本。对新鲜精液样本进行了精液分析和低渗肿胀试验。血清和剩余精液样本储存于-20℃，直至用原子吸收光谱法进行分析。在正常精子症、少精子症和无精子症的精液中，微量元素水平没有显著差异。然而，与精子活力正常的男性相比，吸烟者且患有弱精子症的男性精液中镉含量显著升高（p < 0.001）。我们得出结论，吸烟者弱精子症患者体内镉含量高，证明了这种微量元素可能具有毒性作用，这可能是弱精子症的原因之一。
