Inter-relationship of zinc levels in serum and semen in oligospermic infertile patients and fertile males.

ABSTRACT

Infertility is a problem affecting 10-12% of couples. Zinc is necessary for growth, sexual maturation and reproduction. Semen analysis is helpful in ascertaining the evidence of spermatogenesis, sperm transport, sperm quantity and quality and also provides clue to the functioning of the accessory glands i.e. seminal vesicles and prostate. The present study was conducted in 50 oligospermic infertile males and control group consisting of 25 normospermic known fertile males. Semen and Serum samples were obtained from each case in study as well as control group. Semen and serum were processed by wet ash method. The seminal and serum zinc levels of each case in study and control group were estimated. Statistically, serum zinc and semen zinc levels were significantly lower in infertile patients than fertile males. A significant correlation was observed between serum and semen zinc levels in study group.