[Iron and nonheme iron protein metabolism in ejaculates with varying degrees of fertility].

Abstract

Spermoplasm of 21 fertile and 96 subfertile males was examined for Fe, transferrin and scaferrin the concentrations of which were compared to 14 morphofunctional and physicochemical parameters of ejaculate fertility. Fe and non-hemic spermoplasm ferroproteins are involved in male reproduction: participate in ejaculate thinning, in formation of viscosity and sperm pH, are important for normal spermatogenesis and intercellular interactions. The findings can be applied in diagnosis of male subfertility and control of ongoing treatment, hold promise for improvement of fertilizing ability of the sperm used for artificial insemination and extracorporeal fertilization.