title: The influence of macro and trace elements on sperm quality.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the association between combined concentrations of macro and trace elements and markers of oxidative stress and antioxidative defense system function together with selected cytokine levels. Based on the combined medians of the seminal plasma levels of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium, the study subjects (88 fertile male volunteers) were divided into the following two subgroups: the Me-L group (low level of metals) and the Me-H group (high level of metals). There was a tendency toward reduced motility in the Me-H group compared to that in the Me-L group. The total protein, albumin, and total oxidation status (TOS) levels were significantly higher in the Me-H group than in the Me-L group. The total superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, and CuZn-SOD, activity in spermatozoa were significantly lower in the Me-H group than in the Me-L group. In seminal plasma, the Mn-SOD activity was significantly higher in the Me-H group, whereas the CuZn-SOD activity was significantly lower. Additionally, the activity levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were lower in the Me-H group. The medians of IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-12 were significantly higher in the Me-H group than in the Me-L group, whereas the medians of IL-2, IL-5, and IL-13 were significantly lower. Higher levels of macro and trace elements in the seminal plasma of fertile males may be associated with decreased motility. Higher levels of the examined metals are associated with elevated oxidative stress accompanied by decreased activities of some of the antioxidant enzymes and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland. Electronic address: olakasp@poczta.onet.pl.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasperczyk
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobrakowski
authors.affiliation: I-st Chair and Clinical Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Batorego 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Horak
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zalejska-Fiolka
authors.affiliation: Chair and Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Birkner
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016207:Cytokines; D008670:Metals; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; Cytokines; Oxidative stress; Semen; Trace elements