Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Experimental zinc deficiency in man. Effect on testicular function.

A A Abbasi, A S Prasad, P Rabbani

    The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
    |September 1, 1980
    PubMed
    Summary

    Zinc deficiency in diet can impair male fertility, leading to low sperm counts. Fortunately, this condition is reversible with appropriate zinc supplementation.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Chasing clarity in acute pancreatitis: Comparing computed tomography severity index and APACHE-II score in predicting severity in Indian patients.

    Medical journal, Armed Forces India·2026
    Same author

    Statins as an antineoplastic agent.

    QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2024
    Same author

    Human-black bear conflict: crop raiding by Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

    Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia·2022
    Same author

    Hereditary ovarian tumour syndromes: current update on genetics and imaging.

    Clinical radiology·2020
    Same author

    A Comparative Evaluation of Intracanal Calcium Hydroxide Removal with Hand File, Rotary File, and Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation: An <i>In Vitro</i> Study.

    Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences·2019
    Same author

    Musculoskeletal Disorders and Mental Health-related Issues as Occupational Hazards among Dental Practitioners in Salem City: A Cross-sectional Study.

    Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences·2017

    Area of Science:

    • Reproductive Endocrinology
    • Human Nutrition
    • Andrology

    Background:

    • Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for various physiological processes, including male reproductive health.
    • Suboptimal zinc intake has been anecdotally linked to impaired spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of dietary zinc restriction on testicular function and sperm parameters in adult males.
    • To determine the reversibility of zinc deficiency-induced oligospermia through zinc supplementation.

    Main Methods:

    • Five adult male volunteers (mean age 57 years) underwent dietary zinc restriction (2.7–5.0 mg/day) for 24–40 weeks.
    • Sperm count, concentration, and Leydig cell function were monitored during zinc restriction and subsequent repletion.
    • Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) was used to assess significant changes in sperm parameters.

    Main Results:

    • Zinc restriction induced oligospermia (sperm count < 40 million/ejaculate) in four out of five subjects.
    • Sperm count and concentration significantly decreased (p < 0.05) during zinc restriction and early repletion.
    • Oligospermia persisted for 6–14 months and was reversed by physiologic zinc supplementation, restoring normal sperm parameters within 6–12 months.

    Conclusions:

    • Dietary zinc restriction adversely affects testicular function, leading to reversible oligospermia and impaired Leydig cell function.
    • Zinc deficiency-induced male infertility is a correctable condition through adequate zinc supplementation.
    • Maintaining adequate zinc intake is vital for preserving male reproductive health.

    Related Experiment Videos