Zinc Sulfate Improves Progressive Sperm Motility in Subfertile Men with Abnormal Sperm Agglutination

Abstract

back ground: Agglutination of spermatozoa means that motile spermatozoa stick to eachother in the ejaculate. It can be due to infection or antibodies that react with sperm. Spermagglutination has a negative impact on fertility due to impeding of sperm function, inhibitionof fertilization and implantation. Zinc is an essential trace element for male sex function. It is acofactor in more than 300 enzymes influencing various organ functions. Zinc found in seminal fluid,increase sperm count and motility and blood testosterone levels. Zinc had direct effects on theproduction, maturation and function of leucocytes and can modulate antibody production.Objective: The objective of this study to assess the effect of zinc sulfate treatment on spermagglutination among subfertile patients with asthenospermia.Design: Prospective study.Setting: Infertility clinic and assisted reproduction unit at the Institute of Embryo Research andInfertility Treatment, Al-Nahrain University.Patients: Fifty - three subfertile male patients.Materials and Methods: Semen analysis was performed before zinc treatment using direct slideexamination for fifty - three infertile patients. A daily dose of 440 mg of zinc sulfatesupplementation was orally administered for a period of two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, andsix weeks. After each period semen samples were obtained by masturbation after a recommendedperiod of 3-5 days of sexual abstinence, and evaluated for determinations of semen volume, pH,concentration, motility, normal morphology, total progressive motile sperm count, round cells, andsperm agglutination, according to WHO recommendation.Results: subfertile men demonstrated a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in round cells /HPF after thirdweek of zinc treatment. Sperm agglutination was significantly (P< 0.01) decreased after second,third, fourth week, and (P< 0.02) at six weeks of zinc treatment compared to sperm agglutinationbefore treatment. Also the study showed significant (P< 0.05) improvement in progressive spermmotility [grade –A after three week and grade –B after three and four week of zinc treatment],significant (P< 0.01) increase of total progressive motile sperm count /ejaculate, and ofmorphologically normal sperm after third week of oral zinc sulfate supplementation.Conclusions: It was concluded from the results of the work that the oral zinc sulfatesupplementation is effective in decreasing of abnormal sperm agglutination and round cells, withsubsequent improvement of progressive sperm motility.