Seminal plasma electrolyte differences in fertile and infertile males

ABSTRACT

The concentration of seminal plasma electrolytes Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu were determined in 15 fertile males, 20 infertile males without varicocele and 20 infertile males with varicocele. We did not find any statistical differences between the concentration of these electrolytes in the seminal plasma of the fertile and both infertile groups except the copper. Copper concentration in the seminal plasma of the infertile males with varicocele was highly statistically increased than that of the fertile males [P < 0.001]. This finding may indicate an important role of the Cu in the infertility problem and its measurement may be an index for the presence of subclinical varicocele