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Relationship between seminal plasma trace elements and sperm quality.

Yujie Li1, Xiaowen Liu1, Zewei Yu1

  • 1Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Branch of Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Qingdao, China; College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.

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Male fertility decline is linked to seminal plasma trace elements. Higher levels of certain metals negatively impact sperm motility, suggesting these elements are key biomarkers for male reproductive health.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Male fertility has seen a recent decline, primarily due to reduced sperm quality.
  • While common factors are known, they don't explain all cases of male infertility.
  • The role of environmental trace elements in seminal plasma on male fertility is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between 25 trace elements in seminal plasma and male fertility parameters.
  • To identify specific trace elements associated with reduced sperm quality in Chinese men.
  • To establish seminal trace elements as potential biomarkers for environmental exposure and male germ cell health.

Main Methods:

  • Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify 25 trace elements in seminal plasma.
  • Samples were collected from 209 Chinese men of reproductive age.
  • Logistic regression and restricted cubic splines analyzed the association between trace elements and semen parameters.

Main Results:

  • Elevated Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Sr, Cd, and Co levels were found in men with asthenozoospermia (reduced sperm motility).
  • Lower Mo concentration was observed in men with teratozoospermia (abnormal sperm morphology).
  • Trace element levels in oligozoospermia (low sperm count) were similar to healthy controls; however, Mg, Zn, Cd, and low Co negatively correlated with sperm motility, while Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, As, Cd positively correlated with sperm DNA fragmentation.

Conclusions:

  • Seminal plasma trace elements, particularly metals, are significant biomarkers reflecting male germ cell environmental exposure.
  • Increased seminal trace elements are primarily associated with reduced sperm motility, rather than sperm concentration or morphology.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the biological mechanisms connecting seminal trace elements to male fertility decline.