Relationship between serum levels of testosterone, zinc and selenium in infertile males attending fertility clinic in Nnewi, south east Nigeria.

In the recent years, male infertility and sub-fertility have increased, which is attributable to many factors. Some trace elements such as zinc and selenium have been shown to play a role in reproduction. The study was designed to determine the serum levels of zinc, selenium and testosterone in infertile males attending fertility clinic in Nnewi. We investigated fifty apparently infertile males (subjects) and twenty apparently healthy fertile males (controls) between the ages of twenty five and fifty five years. The serum levels of zinc and selenium were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer while the serum level of testosterone was determined using Enzyme Immunoassay techniques. The results showed that there were significant differences in the mean serum zinc, selenium and testosterone when compared between the two groups. The results also showed a strong positive correlation between serum levels of zinc and selenium, a negative correlation between serum levels of testosterone and zinc, and a strong positive correlation between serum testosterone and selenium in the infertile males. We therefore conclude that there is a relationship between the serum levels of zinc, selenium and testosterone in infertile males and that these parameters be considered when investigating cases of infertility in males.