Concentration of trace elements in human semen and relation to spermatozoa quality

In this study the concentrations of trace elements such as lead, cadmium, iron, nickel, copper and zinc in the human semen (n = 47), occurrence of pathological spermatozoa, and correlations of these elements to pathological forms were investigated. For each sample of human spermatozoa at least 500 spermatozoa were evaluated. Metal contents were determined by the voltametric method and flame absorption spectrophotometry method. The concentrations of trace elements in human semen were: lead 1.49 0.40 mg.kg- 1, cadmium 0.13 0.15 mg.kg- 1, iron 2.59 0.21 mg.kg- 1, nickel 0.40 0.07 mg.kg- 1, copper 0.28 0.06 mg.kg- 1, and zinc 153.93 67.08 mg.kg- 1, respectively. The total percentage of pathological spermatozoa was 41.61 9.80% with predominancy of broken flagellum, flagellum torso and separated flagellum. In relation to trace elements the analysis showed correlation between copper and lead (r = -0.47), nickel and iron (r = 0.36), lead and flagellum ball (r = -0.39), cadmium and large heads (r = 0.37) and between iron and other forms of pathological spermatozoa (r = -0.32). Results of this study describe possible effects of trace elements on the spermatozoa quality in normal human sperm.