The impact of seminal zinc and fructose concentration on human sperm characteristic

Abstract

This study assessed the association between fructose and zinc concentration and various seminal characteristics. Fructose and zinc in semen reflect the secretory function of seminal vesicles. These tests may help in assessing the diagnosis and the management of male infertility. Seminal plasma was gathered from 180 males who averaged 31.1 ± 3,6 in age. A specific complexant was used to form a stable coloured complex with fructose or zinc. The colour intensity of the complex in a determining wavelength is proportional to the amount of fructose or zinc present in the sample. The study found that seminal fructose concentration was significantly lower in the oligozoospermic group and the azoospermic group in comparison to the with normozoospermic group. There were also many ignificant differences in zinc’s concentration in semen when two of three groups were compared with one another. In conclusion, the role of seminal fructose concentration lie not only in the assessing seminal vesicle dysfunction, but also, in conjunction with other seminal properties could give a useful indication of male reproductive function, whilst seminal zinc concentration might not be most appropriate for the assessment of male reproductive dysfunction.