Trace elements and lipid peroxidation in human seminal plasma

In the present study, the concentrations of copper, iron, zinc, and malondialdehyde in human seminal plasma were measured and correlated with the sperm count and motility in human semen. Copper, iron, and zinc were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas malondialdehyde was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The malondialdehyde concentrations in asthenospermia and oligoasthenospermia were significantly higher than in normospermia. Copper and iron levels were higher in asthenospermia, whereas the zinc concentrations in both oligospermia and asthenospermia were lower than in normal controls. A negative correlation (r = -0.28, p < 0.05) between the malondialdehyde concentration and sperm motility was observed in the abnormal groups. There was no association among copper, iron, zinc, and malondialdehyde in seminal plasma. We concluded that changes in trace elements may be related to sperm quality and that lipid peroxidation, although it is not promoted in the seminal plasma by copper or iron or ameliorated by zinc, may be involved in the loss of sperm motility.