OBJECTIVE: To measure folate levels in seminal plasma from smokers and nonsmokers and to evaluate relationships between seminal plasma folate levels and both folate nutriture and semen quality measures. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: United States Department of Agriculture, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, California. PATIENT(S): Healthy male smokers (n=24) and nonsmokers (n=24). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Blood levels of plasma folate and homocysteine, seminal plasma total, non-methyl- and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentrations, and total sperm count and density. RESULTS: Total seminal plasma folate concentrations were on average 1.5 times higher than blood plasma folate concentrations in all men. Seminal plasma folates contained 5-methyltetrahyrdofolate (74% of total) and non-methyltetrahydrofolates (26% of total); all samples had less than four glutamyl residues. Total and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentrations correlated significantly with blood plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Seminal plasma non-methyltetrahydrofolate levels correlated significantly with sperm density and total sperm count. Seminal plasma of smokers contained a proportionally lower concentration of non-methyltetrahydrofolates compared with nonsmokers. CONCLUSION(S): Seminal plasma total folate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentrations reflect folate nutriture. The non-methyltetrahydrofolate fraction of seminal plasma may be important for male reproductive function.
OBJECTIVE: To measure folate levels in seminal plasma from smokers and nonsmokers and to evaluate relationships between seminal plasma folate levels and both folate nutriture and semen quality measures. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: United States Department of Agriculture, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Presidio of San Francisco, San Francisco, California. PATIENT(S): Healthy male smokers (n=24) and nonsmokers (n=24). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Blood levels of plasma folate and homocysteine, seminal plasma total, non-methyl- and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentrations, and total sperm count and density. RESULTS: Total seminal plasma folate concentrations were on average 1.5 times higher than blood plasma folate concentrations in all men. Seminal plasma folates contained 5-methyltetrahyrdofolate (74% of total) and non-methyltetrahydrofolates (26% of total); all samples had less than four glutamyl residues. Total and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentrations correlated significantly with blood plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Seminal plasma non-methyltetrahydrofolate levels correlated significantly with sperm density and total sperm count. Seminal plasma of smokers contained a proportionally lower concentration of non-methyltetrahydrofolates compared with nonsmokers. CONCLUSION(S): Seminal plasma total folate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate concentrations reflect folate nutriture. The non-methyltetrahydrofolate fraction of seminal plasma may be important for male reproductive function.
Authors: Igor Crha; Michaela Kralikova; Jitka Melounova; Pavel Ventruba; Jana Zakova; Rastislav Beharka; Richard Husicka; Michal Pohanka; Martin Huser Journal: J Assist Reprod Genet Date: 2010-07-31 Impact factor: 3.412
Authors: D Chan; S McGraw; K Klein; L M Wallock; C Konermann; C Plass; P Chan; B Robaire; R A Jacob; C M T Greenwood; J M Trasler Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2016-12-18 Impact factor: 6.918
Authors: Susan T Mashiyama; Christine M Hansen; Esther Roitman; Stella Sarmiento; James E Leklem; Terry D Shultz; Bruce N Ames Journal: Anal Biochem Date: 2007-09-01 Impact factor: 3.365