title: Zinc levels in seminal plasma and their correlation with male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Zinc is an essential trace mineral for the normal functioning of the male reproductive system. Current studies have investigated the relationship between seminal plasma zinc and male infertility but have shown inconsistent results. Hence, we systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct/Elsevier, CNKI and the Cochrane Library for studies that examined the relationship between seminal plasma zinc and male infertility, as well as the effects of zinc supplementation on sperm parameters. Twenty studies were identified, including 2,600 cases and 867 controls. Our meta-analysis results indicated that the seminal plasma zinc concentrations from infertile males were significantly lower than those from normal controls (SMD (standard mean differences) [95% CI] -0.64 [-1.01, -0.28]). Zinc supplementation was found to significantly increase the semen volume, sperm motility and the percentage of normal sperm morphology (SMD [95% CI]: -0.99 [-1.60, -0.38], -1.82 [-2.63, -1.01], and -0.75 [-1.37, -0.14], respectively). The present study showed that the zinc level in the seminal plasma of infertile males was significantly lower than that of normal males. Zinc supplementation could significantly increase the sperm quality of infertile males. However, further studies are needed to better elucidate the correlation between seminal plasma zinc and male infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Xingyou
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Bishao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Qingqing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Qingjian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
authors.forename: Longkun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017594:Publication Bias; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc