Trace Elements and Reproduction

Abstract

There have been investigated on the effect of minerals into reproduction of males. It has suggested that selenium (Se) and zinc(Zn) are key elements. Se has high correlation with sperm concentration and locates at the active center of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) which localizes in mitochondria and nuclei in sperm. Zn is more than 200 times higher in semen or seminal plasma than in sera. It may have important roles, however, extremely high Zn in seminal plasma reduces motility as well as extremely high copper (Cu). In reproduction of females Cu and manganese (Mn) are important. At present detail mechanisms are unclear, but Cu concentration in follicular fluids is 5 times higher than in semen, although the other element concentrations are lower than in semen. Mn concentration in follicular fluid correlates with estradiol (E2) values positively and with age negatively.