Early and late long-term effects of vasectomy on Zn, Cd, and Cu levels in prostatic fluid and serum.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the early and late long-term effects of vasectomy on the serum and prostatic fluid trace elements.


METHODS
In 37 vasectomized and 25 non-vasectomized (control) men, the Zn, Cd and Cu levels in the serum and prostatic fluid were measured by means of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).


RESULTS
No significant difference was found in the prostatic Zn, Cd and Cu levels between the vasectomized and control group. The Zn level in the serum were significantly lower in the vasectomized men than in the controls (11.04 and 13.54 umol/L, respectively; P < 0.05), while the serum Cd and Cu levels were not significantly different between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Vasectomy may decrease the serum, but not the prostatic Zn levels. Its pathophysiological significance is worthy of further investigation.
Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China. allan.mo@nn.col.com.cn
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D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014659:Vasectomy; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc