Assessment of seminal calcium and magnesium levels in infertile men with varicocele before and after varicocelectomy

Background Trace elements perform a vital role in all stages of human physiology, as well as reproduction. Objective This study aimed to assess seminal calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in infertile men associated with varicocele (Vx). Materials and methods Overall, 50 men were divided into two groups: fertile men (n = 20) and infertile men who were scheduled for Vx surgical repair (n = 30). Exclusion criteria were as follows: azoospermia, smoking, leukocytospermia, and consumption of Ca and/or Mg supplements. All cases were subjected to history taking and clinical examination. Semen analysis and assessment of seminal Ca and Mg by the colorimetric method were carried out for all cases at the base point and 3 months postvaricocelectomy. Results Generally, the mean seminal Ca and Mg levels demonstrated significant decreases in infertile men with Vx compared with the healthy fertile men linked to higher Vx grade as well as Vx bilaterality. These seminal decreases demonstrated significant increases after Vx surgical repair. Collectively, seminal Ca and Mg levels showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.665, p= 0.001). Besides, seminal Ca, Mg levels, and Ca/Mg ratio showed significant positive correlation with sperm concentration (r = 0.479, p = 0.001; r = 0.541, p = 0.001; r = 0.282, p = 0.001, respectively), sperm motility percentage (r = 0.493, p = 0.001; r = 0.477, p = 0.001; r = 0.353, P = 0.001, respectively), and sperm normal forms percentage (r = 0.578, p = 0.001; r = 0.520, p = 0.001; r = 0.430, p = 0.001, respectively). Discussion and conclusion Seminal Ca and Mg levels and Ca/Mg ratio are significantly decreased in infertile men associated with Vx compared with fertile men with significant increases after varicocelectomy.

Automated summary

This study found that seminal Ca and Mg levels in infertile men associated with Vx significantly decreased, but increased significantly after surgical repair. Additionally, seminal Ca, Mg levels, and Ca/Mg ratio showed significant positive correlations with sperm concentration, motility percentage, and normal forms percentage.