123
Clinica Chimica Acta, 70 (1976) 123-126 @ Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company,
Amsterdam
- Printed in The Netherlands
CCA 7852
ZINC AND COPPER IN HUMAN SEMEN *
HELENA STANKOVId
and DUgANKA
Deportment of Medical Biochemistry, Zagreb (Yugoslavian (Received
MIKAC-DEVI&
University Hospital “Dr. Mladen Stojanovk?“‘,
February 3,1976)
Summary Investigations have been performed on the possible effect of zinc and copper on the fertility of man, Semen was obtained from 67 men and the zinc concentration was found to be decreasing with a drop of the activity of the semen. Copper was found in semen in microgram amounts which do not change with the activity of the semen. Results suggest that the zinc concentration may serve as evidence in the evaluation of semen activity.
Introduction The very high level of zinc in the male genital organs and in semen [ 1 ] points to the possibility that zinc has an especially important function in fertility. As zinc and copper are antagonists in numerous biochemical processes, it was of interest to investigate their relationship in semen. In the present study, human semen with different activities has been analysed for zinc and copper. The relationship of the concentration of these two elements in semen was evaluated also with respect to the content of these elements in the entire body. Materials and methods Specimens of semen were obtained from 67 men aged 22-42 years after an average abstinence of 6 days. To evaluate the concentration of zinc and copper in the whole body, the content of these metals was analysed in the hair. For this reason a sample of hair was also obtained from the examinees. Prior to analysis, the hair was washed after the method of Harrison et al. [Z]. During the taking of specimens and in the course of the analysis for zinc and copper, all precautions to eliminate contamination were taken. * Presented at the 9th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry, Toronto,
1976.
124
The biophysical analyses include the total semen volume, relative motility and amount of spermatozoa in 1 cm3, number in total volume, and the amount of dead or abnormal spermatozoa. Acid phosphatase activity and cholesterol concentration were also measured. Acid phosphatase was analysed by the .method of King and Amstrong [3] and cholesterol by the method of Abel1 et al. [4]. Zinc in semen and hair was determined by the spectrophotometric method of Mikac-Devil [ 51, and copper by the 1,5diphenylcarbohydrazide reaction
[61. All results were obtained
from whole semen.
Results and discussion Much more is known about the concentration of cations in seminal plasma [7,8 ] than in whole semen [9]. Regarding zinc concentration in this fluid, authors are at variance [7,10,11]. Copper concentration in semen has been dealt with only poorly [12]. Table I presents the results of biophysical analyses for semen activity. In all three groups of semen activity the averages of the examinees’ ages and days of abstinence were similar. With decreased activity, the volume of semen rises, while the number of spermatozoa simultaneously decreases. The percentage of motility and number of spermatozoa were in good correlation. In normalactivity semen the motility of spermatozoa ranged from 50 to 95% decreasedactivity semen has a maximal motility of 50%, while in low-activity semen spermatozoa are dead or altogether absent. The average number of spermatozoa per 1 cm3 in normospermia amounts to 89 000 000 in the total volume to circa 256 000 000, while in oligospermia it is only about 13 200 000 per 1 cm3, and 42 000 000 in total volume. The data in Table I demonstrate a clear difference among these three groups of semen activity. From the results of chemical analyses, the activity of acid phosphatase and cholesterol (Table II) decrease as the activity of semen decreases. In all 3 groups, zinc and copper analyses were performed. It was found that the concentration of zinc in semen is very high, and that it decreases as the activity decreases. In normospermia the zinc level is 19.5 + 0.09 mg/lOO ml,
TABLE I BIOPHYSICAL Activity of sperm
Normal (normospermia) Decreased (oligospermia) Low (azoospermia)
ANALYSES
FOR THE ACTIVITY
Motility (96)
Number of spermatozoa in 1 cm3 x+ S.D.
Number of spermatozoa in total volume x* S.D.
3
50-9
6
3.6
lo-50
69 i5 13 f3
256 +3 42 *6
6
4
Number of persons
Average
39
30
6
17
31
11
31
age
OF SEMEN
Days of abstinence
Total volume (m0
0
5
000 100 200 400
000 000 000 000 0
000 600 000 600
000 000 000 000 0
125 TABLE II BIOCHEMICAL
ANALYSES FOR THE ACTIVITY ----____--
OF SEMEN
Activity of
Cholesterol
acid phosphataee (I.U./l) ;1: S.D.
(mg/lOO ml) xzk S.D.
64 f 4
Decreased ~oljgosperrn~~~
786 461 t613 651 176 +609
Low (azoospermia)
457 363 2489
26 f 3
Activity of semen
Normal (ROlWJSpe~ia)
3s f 4
TABLE III ZINC AND COPPER IN HUMAN SEMEN AND HAIR Activity of
Semen
semen Zinc (mg/lOO ml) x”t S.D.
Copper trcsf 100 ml) x+ S.D.
NORIUll fnormospermia)
19.5 t 0.09
52 r 4
169 P 5
16 If 6
Decreased (0Bgo~ermi~)
14.0 + 0.08
95 f 5
177 f. 5
22 f 8
60*
196 + 6
13+
Low (azoospermia)
8.5 + 0.04
3
Copper Q.w/g) X? SD.
5
and in azoospermia 8.5 2 0.04 mg/ml. The lowest level of zinc in oligospermia and aroospermia may be caused by zinc deficiency in the organism. Therefore, for the purpose of evaluating the levels of zinc and copper in the entire organism, their contents in the hair were investigated 113,141, In all three groups the zinc concentration in the hair was within normal limits [Z]. These results have shown that the decreased level of zinc in semen is not caused by zinc deficiency in the whole organism (Table III). In numerous processes copper and zinc are antagonistically related to one another [Xi]. Therefore the copper content was investigated. Copper in semen is present ‘in microgram amounts, and all three groups had about the same concentration. In the hair the copper content is also similar in all three groups. The results of this study show that zinc concentration in human semen may be of diagnostic value in the assessment of semen activity.
We extend our thanks to Dr. I?. Longhino et al,, Biochemical Laboratory of the University Hospital for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zagreb, for their permission and assistance in collecting specimens.
126
References 1 Mikac-Devi6. D. (19’70) in Advances in Clinical Chemistry Vol. 13, p. 291, Academic Press, New York 2 Harrison, W.W., Yurachek, J.P. and Benson, C.A. (1969) C&I. Chim. Acta 23.81 3 King, E.J. and Amstrong, A.R. (1934) Can. Med. Assoc. J., 31,376 4 Abell, L.L., Levy, B.B., Brady, B.B. and Kenall, F.E. (1962) J. Biol. Chem. 195, 57 5 Mikac-Devil, D. (1969) Clm. Chim. Acta 23,499 6 Mikac-De&, D. (1969) Clin. Chem. Acta 26, 127 7 Eliasson. R.. Lindholmer, Chr. and Leander, G. (1970) Int. Ural. Nephrol. 2,309 8 Herrmann. R., Knoth. W. and MeyhSfer, (1967) 13th Congr. Int. Dermatol., Mtinchen, p. 668 9 Quinn, P.J., White, J.G. and Wirrick, B.R. (1965) J. Reprod. Fertil. 10. 379 10 Rice, E.W. (1964) Expt. Cell. Res. 34, 186 11 MacKenzie, A.R. and Hall, ‘I”. (1962) Nature 193,73 12 Munch-Petersen, S. (1950) Stand. J. C&n. Lab. Invest. 2, 335 13 Stain, W.H. and Pories, W.J. (1966) in Zinc Metabolism, p. 363, Thomas, Springfield, Ill. 14 Stain, W-H., Steadman, L.T., Lankan, Ch., Berliner, W.P. and Pores, W.J. (1966) J. Lab. Clin. Med. 68,244 15 Van Campen, D.R. and Scaife. P.V. (1967) J. Nutr. 91,473
Clinica Chimica Acta, 70 (1976) 123-126 @ Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company,
Amsterdam
- Printed in The Netherlands
CCA 7852
ZINC AND COPPER IN HUMAN SEMEN *
HELENA STANKOVId
and DUgANKA
Deportment of Medical Biochemistry, Zagreb (Yugoslavian (Received
MIKAC-DEVI&
University Hospital “Dr. Mladen Stojanovk?“‘,
February 3,1976)
Summary Investigations have been performed on the possible effect of zinc and copper on the fertility of man, Semen was obtained from 67 men and the zinc concentration was found to be decreasing with a drop of the activity of the semen. Copper was found in semen in microgram amounts which do not change with the activity of the semen. Results suggest that the zinc concentration may serve as evidence in the evaluation of semen activity.
Introduction The very high level of zinc in the male genital organs and in semen [ 1 ] points to the possibility that zinc has an especially important function in fertility. As zinc and copper are antagonists in numerous biochemical processes, it was of interest to investigate their relationship in semen. In the present study, human semen with different activities has been analysed for zinc and copper. The relationship of the concentration of these two elements in semen was evaluated also with respect to the content of these elements in the entire body. Materials and methods Specimens of semen were obtained from 67 men aged 22-42 years after an average abstinence of 6 days. To evaluate the concentration of zinc and copper in the whole body, the content of these metals was analysed in the hair. For this reason a sample of hair was also obtained from the examinees. Prior to analysis, the hair was washed after the method of Harrison et al. [Z]. During the taking of specimens and in the course of the analysis for zinc and copper, all precautions to eliminate contamination were taken. * Presented at the 9th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry, Toronto,
1976.
124
The biophysical analyses include the total semen volume, relative motility and amount of spermatozoa in 1 cm3, number in total volume, and the amount of dead or abnormal spermatozoa. Acid phosphatase activity and cholesterol concentration were also measured. Acid phosphatase was analysed by the .method of King and Amstrong [3] and cholesterol by the method of Abel1 et al. [4]. Zinc in semen and hair was determined by the spectrophotometric method of Mikac-Devil [ 51, and copper by the 1,5diphenylcarbohydrazide reaction
[61. All results were obtained
from whole semen.
Results and discussion Much more is known about the concentration of cations in seminal plasma [7,8 ] than in whole semen [9]. Regarding zinc concentration in this fluid, authors are at variance [7,10,11]. Copper concentration in semen has been dealt with only poorly [12]. Table I presents the results of biophysical analyses for semen activity. In all three groups of semen activity the averages of the examinees’ ages and days of abstinence were similar. With decreased activity, the volume of semen rises, while the number of spermatozoa simultaneously decreases. The percentage of motility and number of spermatozoa were in good correlation. In normalactivity semen the motility of spermatozoa ranged from 50 to 95% decreasedactivity semen has a maximal motility of 50%, while in low-activity semen spermatozoa are dead or altogether absent. The average number of spermatozoa per 1 cm3 in normospermia amounts to 89 000 000 in the total volume to circa 256 000 000, while in oligospermia it is only about 13 200 000 per 1 cm3, and 42 000 000 in total volume. The data in Table I demonstrate a clear difference among these three groups of semen activity. From the results of chemical analyses, the activity of acid phosphatase and cholesterol (Table II) decrease as the activity of semen decreases. In all 3 groups, zinc and copper analyses were performed. It was found that the concentration of zinc in semen is very high, and that it decreases as the activity decreases. In normospermia the zinc level is 19.5 + 0.09 mg/lOO ml,
TABLE I BIOPHYSICAL Activity of sperm
Normal (normospermia) Decreased (oligospermia) Low (azoospermia)
ANALYSES
FOR THE ACTIVITY
Motility (96)
Number of spermatozoa in 1 cm3 x+ S.D.
Number of spermatozoa in total volume x* S.D.
3
50-9
6
3.6
lo-50
69 i5 13 f3
256 +3 42 *6
6
4
Number of persons
Average
39
30
6
17
31
11
31
age
OF SEMEN
Days of abstinence
Total volume (m0
0
5
000 100 200 400
000 000 000 000 0
000 600 000 600
000 000 000 000 0
125 TABLE II BIOCHEMICAL
ANALYSES FOR THE ACTIVITY ----____--
OF SEMEN
Activity of
Cholesterol
acid phosphataee (I.U./l) ;1: S.D.
(mg/lOO ml) xzk S.D.
64 f 4
Decreased ~oljgosperrn~~~
786 461 t613 651 176 +609
Low (azoospermia)
457 363 2489
26 f 3
Activity of semen
Normal (ROlWJSpe~ia)
3s f 4
TABLE III ZINC AND COPPER IN HUMAN SEMEN AND HAIR Activity of
Semen
semen Zinc (mg/lOO ml) x”t S.D.
Copper trcsf 100 ml) x+ S.D.
NORIUll fnormospermia)
19.5 t 0.09
52 r 4
169 P 5
16 If 6
Decreased (0Bgo~ermi~)
14.0 + 0.08
95 f 5
177 f. 5
22 f 8
60*
196 + 6
13+
Low (azoospermia)
8.5 + 0.04
3
Copper Q.w/g) X? SD.
5
and in azoospermia 8.5 2 0.04 mg/ml. The lowest level of zinc in oligospermia and aroospermia may be caused by zinc deficiency in the organism. Therefore, for the purpose of evaluating the levels of zinc and copper in the entire organism, their contents in the hair were investigated 113,141, In all three groups the zinc concentration in the hair was within normal limits [Z]. These results have shown that the decreased level of zinc in semen is not caused by zinc deficiency in the whole organism (Table III). In numerous processes copper and zinc are antagonistically related to one another [Xi]. Therefore the copper content was investigated. Copper in semen is present ‘in microgram amounts, and all three groups had about the same concentration. In the hair the copper content is also similar in all three groups. The results of this study show that zinc concentration in human semen may be of diagnostic value in the assessment of semen activity.
We extend our thanks to Dr. I?. Longhino et al,, Biochemical Laboratory of the University Hospital for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Zagreb, for their permission and assistance in collecting specimens.
126
References 1 Mikac-Devi6. D. (19’70) in Advances in Clinical Chemistry Vol. 13, p. 291, Academic Press, New York 2 Harrison, W.W., Yurachek, J.P. and Benson, C.A. (1969) C&I. Chim. Acta 23.81 3 King, E.J. and Amstrong, A.R. (1934) Can. Med. Assoc. J., 31,376 4 Abell, L.L., Levy, B.B., Brady, B.B. and Kenall, F.E. (1962) J. Biol. Chem. 195, 57 5 Mikac-Devil, D. (1969) Clm. Chim. Acta 23,499 6 Mikac-De&, D. (1969) Clin. Chem. Acta 26, 127 7 Eliasson. R.. Lindholmer, Chr. and Leander, G. (1970) Int. Ural. Nephrol. 2,309 8 Herrmann. R., Knoth. W. and MeyhSfer, (1967) 13th Congr. Int. Dermatol., Mtinchen, p. 668 9 Quinn, P.J., White, J.G. and Wirrick, B.R. (1965) J. Reprod. Fertil. 10. 379 10 Rice, E.W. (1964) Expt. Cell. Res. 34, 186 11 MacKenzie, A.R. and Hall, ‘I”. (1962) Nature 193,73 12 Munch-Petersen, S. (1950) Stand. J. C&n. Lab. Invest. 2, 335 13 Stain, W.H. and Pories, W.J. (1966) in Zinc Metabolism, p. 363, Thomas, Springfield, Ill. 14 Stain, W-H., Steadman, L.T., Lankan, Ch., Berliner, W.P. and Pores, W.J. (1966) J. Lab. Clin. Med. 68,244 15 Van Campen, D.R. and Scaife. P.V. (1967) J. Nutr. 91,473
