Assessment of Seminal Plasma Anti-oxidant capacities, Fructose Content, and Some Heavy Metal Concentrations among Infertile Males in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Males are found to be solely responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases and contribute to 50% of cases overall. This study evaluates the levels of fructose, testosterone and heavy metals such as selenium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in the seminal plasma of infertile males in Uyo Metropolis of Akwa Ibom Sate, Nigeria. This case-control study included a total of 124 males made of 32 azoospermic, 38, oligospermic, and 54, normospermic subjects. Semen specimens were collected after 3-5 days abstinence according to WHO standard while seminal plasma was obtained by centrifuging the semen at 4500rpm for 10 minutes and stored at -70 0 C prior to laboratory
analysis. Determination of heavy metals was by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Testosterone and Glutathione (GSH) were done using ELISA methods while Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and fructose assays were carried out using spectrophotometric methods. Results showed significantly lower antioxidant activities, selenium (Se) and testosterone levels in infertile males with oligospermic and azoospermic counts, abnormal sperm morphologies, and higher percentage of dead sperm cells compared to fertile males with normospermic count and normal sperm morphology. In addition, it was also observed that heavy metals such lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) were significantly higher in the infertile males while fructose was observed to fall significantly among older infertile males within age interval of 40-46 years compared to 22-27 years. In conclusion, the significant reduction in Se, TAC and GSH are suggestive of
oxidative stress probably induced due the significant higher levels of heavy metals like Pb and As in the seminal plasma.