Oral zinc supplementation restore high molecular weight seminal zinc binding protein to normal value in Iraqi infertile men

Semen samples were obtained from 37 fertile and 37 asthenozoospermic infertile men with matched age. The subfertile group was treated with zinc sulfate, every participant took two capsules per day for three months (each one 220mg). Semen samples were obtained (before and after zinc sulfate supplementation). After liquefaction seminal fluid at room temperature, routine semen analyses were performed. For determination of the amount of zinc binding proteins, the gel filtration of seminal plasma on Sephadex G-75 was performed. All the fractions were investigated for protein and for zinc concentration by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Evaluation of chromatograms was made directly from the zinc concentration in each fraction.A significant high molecular weight zinc binding ligands percentage (HMW-Zn %) was observed in seminal plasma of fertile males compared with subfertile males. However, seminal low molecular weight ligands (LMW-Zn) have opposite behavior. The mean value of semen volume, progressive sperm motility percentage and total normal sperm count were increased after zinc sulfate supplementation.Zinc supplementation restores HMW-Zn% in seminal plasma of asthenozoospermic subjects to normal value. Zinc supplementation elevates LMW-Zn% in seminal plasma of asthenozoospermic subjects to more than normal value.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01612403Infertility is defined as lack of ability to conceive within one year of unprotected intercourse with the same partner [1]. It is estimated that nearly 8‐12% of couples are infertile [2]. There are several causes leading to male infertility, like radiation, cigarette smoking, varicocele, antibacterial drugs, infections, obstructive lesions, therapeutic drugs, trauma, genitourinary infection, environmental agents, oxidative stress, and nutritional deficiency of trace elements like, selenium and zinc [3,4]. Zn is the following only to iron as the most abundant element in the body. Although, Zinc is found in red meat,