Are zinc levels in seminal plasma associated with seminal leukocytes and other determinants of semen quality?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a potential association of zinc levels with seminal leukocytes, the outcome of semen cultures; and semen quality and sperm fertilizing capacity.
DESIGN: Prospective study.
SETTING: Outpatient infertility clinic of a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Two hundred fifty-six randomly chosen asymptomatic males from subfertile couples. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Determination of zinc in seminal plasma by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. In aliquots of the same ejaculates the following tests were performed: immunocytochemical round cell differentiation to determine leukocyte counts and ratios, microbial screening, and comprehensive evaluation of semen quality (sperm analysis, biochemical parameters, antisperm antibody testing, and in vitro examination of sperm ability to penetrate cervical mucus). The patients underwent medical history, clinical examination, and postcoital testing. Subsequent fertility was determined (controlled for female infertility factors). RESULT(S): The concentration of zinc in seminal plasma did not correlate in a statistically significant way with leukocytes in semen, nor was it associated with bacterial colonization. There was no statistically significant relationship of zinc in seminal plasma or serum with semen quality parameters nor with local antisperm antibody testing of the IgG or IgA class. Zinc levels did not influence sperm capacity to penetrate cervical mucus in vitro or in vivo, and did not affect subsequent fertility. CONCLUSION(S): The zinc level in seminal fluid and serum is not associated with silent male genital tract infection (indicated by seminal leukocytes); nor is it related to semen cultures in asymptomatic individuals. The lack of association with other semen quality parameters indicates that the routine determination of zinc levels during infertility investigation is not recommended.