RESUMEN
It is pointed out that some profound disorders developing in the infertile testis affect mainly the germinal cells. Degeneration of these cells, as recently reported, was associated with affection of sorbitol dehydrogenase [SDH] activity in seminal plasma. The objective of this study was to identify the alterations of SDH activities as well as the possible relationship between zinc and copper level versus SDH activities in human semen specimens with different sperm parameters. Our data show that the decrease of spermatozoal count and reduce motility in infertile specimens was accompanied by a significant decrease [<0.001] in both SDH activities and zinc levels. A significant increase [<0.001] was also noted in copper levels when compared to normospermic group. A positive correlation was found between SDH activity and zinc level [+ 0.61] and between SDH activity and copper levels [+0.51] in normospermic population. At the same time no correlation was found between SDH activity and trace elements studied in infertile men [Oligoathenoatheno and azospermia]. We can conclude that SDH could serve as a useful biochemical make for assessing testicular function and spermatogenesis in infertile men. Also this enzyme has no relation with zinc, copper levels in seminal plasma, of such population