Assessment of the level of seminal zinc and fructose concentration in seminal plasma of Vietnamese infertile men

Abstract

Infertility is defined as the failure of a couple to achieve a pregnancy after at least one year of frequent unprotected intercourse.1,2 It has been reported that the male partner contributes in 40% of the cases of infertility. Globally, the incidence of fertility is estimated to be about 13-18%.1,3 Due to the various reasons caused male infertility, it is essential to identify appropriate diagnosis methods to detect them. There are many tests that have been applied for several decades such as semen analysis, genetic tests and hormones methods. Recently, some of biochemical markers including zinc and fructose are becoming significant implications for diagnosing the cause in male infertility.4 They have thus been established as good indicators of human male fertility. An understanding of the factors affecting these characteristics is critical to proper understanding of the mechanisms underlying male infertility.5,6 Fructose is essential for spermatozoa metabolism and spermatozoa motility.7 Fructose is an energy source for spermatozoa. It is produced by the seminal vesicles with some contribution from the ampulla of the ductus deferens.8,9 Determination of seminal fructose concentration has been used in examination of obstructive azoospermia and inflammation of male accessory glands.10,11 The role of fructose concentrations in seminal plasma for total and sperm density has been investigated by several authors. Rajalakhshmi M, et al.,12 and Gonzales13 reported that an increase in sperm concentration is often accompanied by a decrease in fructose concentration in seminal plasma, because sperm using fructose as the primary source of energy,12,13 However, others studies have also shown that fructose concentrations in seminal plasma of patients with oligozoospermia and azoospermia did not decrease as compared to normal men.