[Role of essential trace elements on sexual function and its disorder]

Abstract

Recent reports on the role of trace elements in human reproductive potential were summarized. Zn has been known as an important element in male sexual function, and works as key element in several seminal reactions. Se, Fe, and Cu are also essential for male fertility. Intracellular Ca play an important role in many reactions such as sperm motility, acrosome reaction, capacitation, etc. Our data on 13 elements in semen samples from 110 male patients of infertile couples were also described; 1) element concentrations were Na > P, K > Ca > Zn > Mg > Fe > Cu > Se >> Sn, Ni, Co, Cd, 2) Correlation between Se concentration and sperm concentration (r = 0.589, p < 0.001), where Se contents in spermatozoa showed very high correlation (r = 0.886), 3) Zn in semen were not correlated with sperm parameters, but were correlated with concentrations of Mg (r = 0.903), K (r = 0.810), and Ca (r = 0.715). There has been few information on the role of trace elements in female sexual function.