[The associations between concentration of selenium in semen and sperm parameters as well as oxidative DNA damage in...

To explore the associations between concentrations of selenium (Se) in serum and semen and sperm parameters as well as oxidative DNA damage in human sperm.

Concentrations of selenium in serum and semen were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The sperm parameters were detected according to WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human sperm. The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and deoxyguanosine (dG) in human sperm DNA were measured using HPLC-ECD and HPLC-UV.

Mean semen concentration of selenium was significantly higher in fertile subjects (0.74 mumol/L) than that in infertile subjects (0.56 mumol/L), while there was no significant difference in serum concentrations of selenium between the two groups. Semen volume (3.91 ml vs. 2.79 ml), sperm density (46.4 x 10(9)/L vs. 36.5 x 10(9)/L) and sperm count (168.0 x 10(6) vs. 102.0 x 10(6)) were significantly higher in fertile subjects than those in infertile subjects. There was no significant difference in motility and viability of sperm, and proportion of deformity sperm between the two groups, Significantly positive correlation was observed between semen concentration of Se and sperm density (r = 0.48, P < 0.01 for fertile subjects and r = 0.32, P < 0.05 for infertile subjects) as well as sperm count (r = 0.32, P < 0.05 for fertile subjects and r = 0.26, P < 0.05 for infertile subjects), sperm motility (r = 0.46, P < 0.01 for fertile subjects and r = 0.65, P < 0.01 for infertile subjects) and viability (r = 0.33, P < 0.05 for fertile subjects and r = 0.64, P < 0.01 for infertile subjects). There was no correlation between serum Se concentrations and sperm parameters. Moreover, 8-OHdG levels in sperm DNA inversely correlated with semen Se concentrations in fertile (r = -0.21, P < 0.05) and infertile (r = -0.28, P < 0.05) subjects. However, no significant correlation was found between 8-OHdG levels in sperm DNA and serum Se concentrations in all subjects.

Semen concentrations of Se were associated with sperm quality and 8-OHdG levels in human sperm. Serum concentrations of Se did not affect sperm quality and oxidative DNA damage in human sperm.