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THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, ZINC, AND COPPER IN BLOOD AND SEMINAL PLASMA ON SEMEN PARAMETERS OF SPINAL CORD INJURED MEN
85 INFLUENCE OF METHYLENETETRAHYDROFOLATE REDUCTASE (MTHFR) C677T AND A1298CGENE POLYMORPHISMS ON MALE INFERTILITY IN TURKISH INFERTILE MEN WITH AZOOSPERMIA AND OLIGOZOOSPERMIA
86 AMPLIFICATION OF PROTAMINE- AND BCL2-MRNA IN TESTICULAR SPERMATIDS AND EJACULATED SPERMATOZOA AS PROGNOSTIC PARAMETER FOR MALE INFERTILITY Steger K.1, Wilhelm J.2, Konrad L., Stalf T.4, Greb R.5, Diemer T.1, Kliesch S.6, Bergmann M.7, Weidner W.1
Tetik A.1, Aliyeva U.2, Cetintas V.B.1, Semerci B.2, Topcuoglu N.1, Eroglu Z.1 1 Ege University, Dept. of Medical Biology, Izmir, Turkey, 2Ege University, Dept. of Urology, Izmir, Turkey
Introduction & Objectives: Folate is necessary for DNA synthesis which is important for WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI VSHUPDWR]RD RRF\WHV DQG PHWK\ODWLRQ SURFHGXUH )RODWH GHᚏFLHQF\ occurs frequently, and known as a risk factor for various diseases, including infertility. Methylenetetrahyrofolate reductase enzyme plays an important role in folate metabolism and catalyses the homocysteine remethylation to methionine. We investigate the relationship of C677T andA1298C polymorphisms in MTHFR gene on unexplained male infertility in a group of Turkish infertile men patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and oligozoospermia. Material & Methods: :HVWXGLHGQRQREVWUXFWLYHD]RRVSHUPLFSDWLHQWV ROLJRVSHUPLF patients being followed up by Ege University Urology department and 50 individual with normal sperm parameters who had more than one child. Clinical data of both infertile patients were analyzed prospectively. DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes. Genotyping of C677T and A1298C MTHFR gene polymorphisms for all individuals was performed by melting curve analysis of the generated amplicons after real-time onlinePCR. The distributions of genotype and allele frequencies were compared between infertile men and control group. Results: Among the whole group of unexplained infertile patients, 677C/C genotype was SUHVHQW LQ 77 LQ DQG &7 LQ SDWLHQWV $$ JHQRW\SH ZDV SUHVHQW in 45, 1298C/C in 14 and 1298A/C in 41 patients. In control group 677C/C genotype was SUHVHQWLQ77LQDQG&7LQSDWLHQWV $$JHQRW\SHZDVSUHVHQWLQ &&LQ DQG $&LQSDWLHQWV7KHIUHTXHQF\RIPXWDQW7DOOHOZDVVLJQLᚏFDQWO\ higher in unexplained infertile group (p<0,05). In the subgroup of 50 azospermic patients && 77 DQG &7 JHQRW\SHV ZHUH IRXQG LQ DQG SDWLHQWV $$ && DQG $& JHQRW\SHV ZHUH IRXQG LQ DQG SDWLHQWV UHVSHFWLYHO\ ,Q 50 oligospermic patients, 677C/C, 677T/T and 677C/T genotypes were found in 21, 7 DQG FDVHV $$ && DQG $& JHQRW\SHV ZHUH IRXQG LQ DQG cases, respectively. Neither the frequency of genotypes nor the allelic distribution were not VLJQLᚏFDQWO\ GLᚎHUHQW EHWZHHQ LQIHUWLOH VXEJURXSV ZLWK ROLJRVSHUPLD DQG QRQREVWUXFWLYH azoospermia (p>0,05). Conclusions: The MTHFR 677TT genotype is a genetic risk factor for male infertility, especially with oligospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia in unexplained infertile males (p<0,05). 7KHUHZDVQRVWDWLVWLFDOO\VLJQLᚏFDQFHRI$ &YDULDWLRQLQLQIHUWLOHPDOHV S!
1
Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Urology and Paediatric Urology, Giessen, Germany, Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Pathology, Giessen, Germany, Philipps University, Dept. of Urology and Paediatric Urology, Marburg, Germany, 4IVF-Centre, Mittelhessen, Wetzlar, Germany, 5University, Dept. of Gynaecology, Münster, Germany, 6University, Dept. of Urology, Münster, Germany, 7Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Giessen, Germany 2
Introduction & Objectives: Human sperm contain similar amounts of protamine-1 and protamine-2. While aberrant protamine ratios have been observed in infertile men, functional evidence is provided by protamine knockout mice exhibiting male infertility. As sperm DNA integrity, in addition, is known to be linked with DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, we investigated whether the protamine-mRNA ratio and Bcl2-mRNA content represent a reliable biomarker to discriminate fertile and infertile men. Material & Methods: Real-time quantitative RT-PCR for protamine-1, protamine-2 and Bcl-2 in testicular biopsies (74 infertile men versus 17 controls) and ejaculates (95 infertile men versus 10 controls). Results: :LWKLQ WHVWLFXODU VSHUPDWLGV WKH SURWDPLQH WR SURWDPLQH UDWLR LV LQ FRQWUROVDQG LQLQIHUWLOHSDWLHQWVWKHGLᚎHUHQFHLVVWDWLVWLFDOO\VLJQLᚏFDQW S Infertile men exhibit more than 10-fold the amount of Bcl2 mRNA when compared with controls (p = 0.0155). The Bcl2 content reveals a positive linear correlation (p = 0.0250) with the protamine-1 to protamine-2 ratio. Within ejaculated spermatozoa, the protamine-1 to SURWDPLQHUDWLRLV LQFRQWUROVDQG LQLQIHUWLOHPHQWKHGLᚎHUHQFHLVVWDWLVWLFDOO\ VLJQLᚏFDQW S 7KHDPRXQWRI%FOLQLQIHUWLOHPHQLVPRUHWKDQIROGWKHDPRXQW of Bcl2 in the control group (p = 7.0 x 10-6). The Bcl2 content revealed a positive linear FRUUHODWLRQ S ZLWK WKH SURWDPLQH WR SURWDPLQH UDWLR 7KH DEVROXWH VSHUP density, as well as the fertilization and pregnancy rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was not found to correlate with either the protamine mRNA ratio or the Bcl2-mRNA content. Conclusions: :H IRXQG VLJQLᚏFDQWO\ DEHUUDQW SURWDPLQH P51$ UDWLRV DQG D KLJKHU %FO mRNA content in testicular biopsies and ejaculates of infertile men compared to controls, suggesting that these molecules may be useful biomarkers for predicting male infertility. No VLJQLᚏFDQWFRUUHODWLRQFRXOGEHGHPRQVWUDWHGZLWKWKHIHUWLOL]DWLRQUDWHDIWHULQWUDF\WRSODVPLF sperm injection (ICSI), neither for the protamine ratio, nor for the Bcl2 content.
87 EXPRESSION OF SPECIFICALLY ACETYLATED HISTONE H4 DURING NORMAL AND IMPAIRED HUMAN SPERMATOGENESIS Hecht N.1, Paradowska A.1, Bergmann M.2, Weidner W.1, Steger K.1 Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Urology and Paediatric Urology, Giessen, Germany, 2Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Giessen, Germany
1
Introduction & Objectives: Core histone acetylation represents a prerequisite for the loosening of DNA-histone interaction and is associated with DNA replication in spermatogonia DQGKLVWRQHWRSURWDPLQHH[FKDQJHLQHORQJDWLQJVSHUPDWLGV7KHODWWHURFFXUVDWVWDJHVRI the seminiferous epithelial cycle and results in condensation of nuclear chromatin, which itself is of pivotal importance for the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa. The present study aimed DW GHPRQVWUDWLQJ WKH H[SUHVVLRQ RI KLVWRQH + VSHFLᚏFDOO\ DFHW\ODWHG DW O\VLQH +.DF 8 (H4K8ac), 12 (H4K12ac) and 16 (H4K16ac) during normal spermatogenesis. In addition, it VKRXOGEHFODULᚏHGZKHWKHULPSDLUHGVSHUPDWRJHQHVLVLVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKDQDEHUUDQWKLVWRQH H4 acetylation pattern. Material & Methods: )RULPPXQRKLVWRFKHPLVWU\%RXLQᚏ[HGDQGSDUDᚑQHPEHGGHGWHVWLFXODU biopsies exhibiting normal spermatogenesis (n=2) and round spermatid maturation arrest 560$ Q ZHUH FXW LQWR wP WKLFN VHFWLRQV ,Q DGGLWLRQ ZH XVHG HMDFXODWHV IURP IHUWLOH YROXQWHHUV Q 6DPSOHV ZHUH LQFXEDWHG ZLWK SRO\FORQDO SULPDU\ DQWLERGLHV $EFDP 8. followed by biotinylated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody (Dako, Germany) and avidine-biotinFRPSOH[ $%& 9HFWRU86$ UHDJHQW)LQDOO\VHFWLRQVZHUHGHYHORSHGZLWKGLDPLQREHQ]LGLQH (DAB) reagent. Results: During normal spermatogenesis, H4K5ac revealed positive signals in spermatids of stages III-V. Spermatids in RSMA displayed also positive signals. In addition, some spermatogonia were immunopositive. The antibody against H4K8ac stained approximately 50% of spermatogonia, as well as spermatids of stages III-V during normal spermatogenesis. No aberrant staining pattern could be observed during impaired spermatogenesis. Immunostaining of H4K12ac was similar to that of H4K8ac during both normal and impaired spermatogenesis. During normal spermatogenesis, elongated spermatids of stages I-II were in addition immunopositive. The antibody against H4K16ac displayed a positive immunoreaction already with pachytene spermatocytes starting at stage III of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. In addition, round spermatids of stages I-III and elongating spermatids of stages IV-V revealed positive signals. In case of RSMA, all spermatocytes were immunonegative. Within the ejaculates, only the antibody against H4K12ac showed positive signals in about 20% of the spermatozoa. Conclusions: In RSMA, lacking acetylation of H4K16 in spermatocytes may represent a possible reason for the disturbed development of spermatids. The fact that H4K12 is the only lysine residue that was acetylated in spermatozoa suggests an important role for this amino acid for fertilization and/orrly embryo development.
Eur Urol Suppl 2008;7(3):92
88 THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, ZINC, AND COPPER IN BLOOD AND SEMINAL PLASMA ON SEMEN PARAMETERS OF SPINAL CORD INJURED MEN Mehrsai A.1, Salsabili N.2, Jalaie S.2 1 2
Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Urology Research Centre, Tehran, Iran, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Dept. of Anatomy, Tehran, Iran
Introduction & Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine and compare the HᚎHFWRIFDOFLXP &D PDJQHVLXP 0J ]LQF =Q DQGFRSSHU &X LQEORRGDQGVHPLQDO plasma on sperm parameters of spinal cord injured (SCI) men and normal controls. Material & Methods: $ SURVSHFWLYH VWXG\ ZDV GHVLJQHG 6&, PHQ DQG neurologically intact (NI) men provided a standardized blood and semen specimen. Total Ca and Mg concentrations were determined with colorimetric and point assay SURFHGXUHV=QDQG&XZHUHGHWHUPLQHGE\ᚐDPHDWRPLFDEVRUSWLRQVSHFWURSKRWRPHWHU Semen analysis was performed according to world health organization (WHO 1999). Results: 7KHVSHUPSDUDPHWHUVLQ6&,JURXSZDVVLJQLᚏFDQWO\ORZHUWKDQ1,JURXSHG LQ PRWLOLW\ LQ QRUPDO PRUSKRORJ\ DQG LQ YLDELOLW\ 7KH QXPEHU RI OHXNRF\WHV s PO ZDV KLJKHU WKDQ 1, JURXS s PO ,Q6&,WKHPHDQFRQFHQWUDWLRQVRIVHPLQDO=QDQG&X s s PJ PO ZDV KLJKHU WKDQ EORRG SODVPD =Q DQG &X s s PJPO 3 $QGSODVPD=QKDGFRUUHODWLRQZLWKQXPEHURIVSHUP U 3 ZKHUHDVVHPLQDO=QKDGQHJDWLYHFRUUHODWLRQZLWKQXPEHURIVSHUP U 3 DQGSRVLWLYHFRUUHODWLRQZLWKVSHUPPRWLOLW\ U 3 3ODVPD&XKDGQHJDWLYH FRUUHODWLRQZLWKVSHUPPRWLOLW\ U 3 DQGOLQHDUFRUUHODWLRQZLWKQXPEHURI OHXNRF\WHV &X 1RRIOHXNRF\WHV LQVHPLQDOSODVPDEXWVHPLQDO&X KDGSRVLWLYHFRUUHODWLRQZLWKVSHUPPRWLOLW\ U 3 ,Q1,JURXSVHPLQDO=Q DQG&X ss PJPOZDVKLJKHUWKDQEORRGSODVPD=QDQG&X ss PJPO 3 Conclusions: The Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu play an essential role in spermatogenesis and fertility, especially in motility of sperm. The low amount of seminal Zn, Cu in SCI group may be attributed to urogenital tract infection and prostititis, which was common in this group. The lack of association of seminal elements in ionized form with sperm parameters indicates that the determination of these elements in blood and seminal plasma does not discriminate fertility in spinal cord injured men. Therefore, the routine determination of these elements cannot be recommended during basic infertility investigation.
86 AMPLIFICATION OF PROTAMINE- AND BCL2-MRNA IN TESTICULAR SPERMATIDS AND EJACULATED SPERMATOZOA AS PROGNOSTIC PARAMETER FOR MALE INFERTILITY Steger K.1, Wilhelm J.2, Konrad L., Stalf T.4, Greb R.5, Diemer T.1, Kliesch S.6, Bergmann M.7, Weidner W.1
Tetik A.1, Aliyeva U.2, Cetintas V.B.1, Semerci B.2, Topcuoglu N.1, Eroglu Z.1 1 Ege University, Dept. of Medical Biology, Izmir, Turkey, 2Ege University, Dept. of Urology, Izmir, Turkey
Introduction & Objectives: Folate is necessary for DNA synthesis which is important for WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI VSHUPDWR]RD RRF\WHV DQG PHWK\ODWLRQ SURFHGXUH )RODWH GHᚏFLHQF\ occurs frequently, and known as a risk factor for various diseases, including infertility. Methylenetetrahyrofolate reductase enzyme plays an important role in folate metabolism and catalyses the homocysteine remethylation to methionine. We investigate the relationship of C677T andA1298C polymorphisms in MTHFR gene on unexplained male infertility in a group of Turkish infertile men patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and oligozoospermia. Material & Methods: :HVWXGLHGQRQREVWUXFWLYHD]RRVSHUPLFSDWLHQWV ROLJRVSHUPLF patients being followed up by Ege University Urology department and 50 individual with normal sperm parameters who had more than one child. Clinical data of both infertile patients were analyzed prospectively. DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes. Genotyping of C677T and A1298C MTHFR gene polymorphisms for all individuals was performed by melting curve analysis of the generated amplicons after real-time onlinePCR. The distributions of genotype and allele frequencies were compared between infertile men and control group. Results: Among the whole group of unexplained infertile patients, 677C/C genotype was SUHVHQW LQ 77 LQ DQG &7 LQ SDWLHQWV $$ JHQRW\SH ZDV SUHVHQW in 45, 1298C/C in 14 and 1298A/C in 41 patients. In control group 677C/C genotype was SUHVHQWLQ77LQDQG&7LQSDWLHQWV $$JHQRW\SHZDVSUHVHQWLQ &&LQ DQG $&LQSDWLHQWV7KHIUHTXHQF\RIPXWDQW7DOOHOZDVVLJQLᚏFDQWO\ higher in unexplained infertile group (p<0,05). In the subgroup of 50 azospermic patients && 77 DQG &7 JHQRW\SHV ZHUH IRXQG LQ DQG SDWLHQWV $$ && DQG $& JHQRW\SHV ZHUH IRXQG LQ DQG SDWLHQWV UHVSHFWLYHO\ ,Q 50 oligospermic patients, 677C/C, 677T/T and 677C/T genotypes were found in 21, 7 DQG FDVHV $$ && DQG $& JHQRW\SHV ZHUH IRXQG LQ DQG cases, respectively. Neither the frequency of genotypes nor the allelic distribution were not VLJQLᚏFDQWO\ GLᚎHUHQW EHWZHHQ LQIHUWLOH VXEJURXSV ZLWK ROLJRVSHUPLD DQG QRQREVWUXFWLYH azoospermia (p>0,05). Conclusions: The MTHFR 677TT genotype is a genetic risk factor for male infertility, especially with oligospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia in unexplained infertile males (p<0,05). 7KHUHZDVQRVWDWLVWLFDOO\VLJQLᚏFDQFHRI$ &YDULDWLRQLQLQIHUWLOHPDOHV S!
1
Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Urology and Paediatric Urology, Giessen, Germany, Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Pathology, Giessen, Germany, Philipps University, Dept. of Urology and Paediatric Urology, Marburg, Germany, 4IVF-Centre, Mittelhessen, Wetzlar, Germany, 5University, Dept. of Gynaecology, Münster, Germany, 6University, Dept. of Urology, Münster, Germany, 7Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Giessen, Germany 2
Introduction & Objectives: Human sperm contain similar amounts of protamine-1 and protamine-2. While aberrant protamine ratios have been observed in infertile men, functional evidence is provided by protamine knockout mice exhibiting male infertility. As sperm DNA integrity, in addition, is known to be linked with DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, we investigated whether the protamine-mRNA ratio and Bcl2-mRNA content represent a reliable biomarker to discriminate fertile and infertile men. Material & Methods: Real-time quantitative RT-PCR for protamine-1, protamine-2 and Bcl-2 in testicular biopsies (74 infertile men versus 17 controls) and ejaculates (95 infertile men versus 10 controls). Results: :LWKLQ WHVWLFXODU VSHUPDWLGV WKH SURWDPLQH WR SURWDPLQH UDWLR LV LQ FRQWUROVDQG LQLQIHUWLOHSDWLHQWVWKHGLᚎHUHQFHLVVWDWLVWLFDOO\VLJQLᚏFDQW S Infertile men exhibit more than 10-fold the amount of Bcl2 mRNA when compared with controls (p = 0.0155). The Bcl2 content reveals a positive linear correlation (p = 0.0250) with the protamine-1 to protamine-2 ratio. Within ejaculated spermatozoa, the protamine-1 to SURWDPLQHUDWLRLV LQFRQWUROVDQG LQLQIHUWLOHPHQWKHGLᚎHUHQFHLVVWDWLVWLFDOO\ VLJQLᚏFDQW S 7KHDPRXQWRI%FOLQLQIHUWLOHPHQLVPRUHWKDQIROGWKHDPRXQW of Bcl2 in the control group (p = 7.0 x 10-6). The Bcl2 content revealed a positive linear FRUUHODWLRQ S ZLWK WKH SURWDPLQH WR SURWDPLQH UDWLR 7KH DEVROXWH VSHUP density, as well as the fertilization and pregnancy rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was not found to correlate with either the protamine mRNA ratio or the Bcl2-mRNA content. Conclusions: :H IRXQG VLJQLᚏFDQWO\ DEHUUDQW SURWDPLQH P51$ UDWLRV DQG D KLJKHU %FO mRNA content in testicular biopsies and ejaculates of infertile men compared to controls, suggesting that these molecules may be useful biomarkers for predicting male infertility. No VLJQLᚏFDQWFRUUHODWLRQFRXOGEHGHPRQVWUDWHGZLWKWKHIHUWLOL]DWLRQUDWHDIWHULQWUDF\WRSODVPLF sperm injection (ICSI), neither for the protamine ratio, nor for the Bcl2 content.
87 EXPRESSION OF SPECIFICALLY ACETYLATED HISTONE H4 DURING NORMAL AND IMPAIRED HUMAN SPERMATOGENESIS Hecht N.1, Paradowska A.1, Bergmann M.2, Weidner W.1, Steger K.1 Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Urology and Paediatric Urology, Giessen, Germany, 2Justus Liebig University, Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Giessen, Germany
1
Introduction & Objectives: Core histone acetylation represents a prerequisite for the loosening of DNA-histone interaction and is associated with DNA replication in spermatogonia DQGKLVWRQHWRSURWDPLQHH[FKDQJHLQHORQJDWLQJVSHUPDWLGV7KHODWWHURFFXUVDWVWDJHVRI the seminiferous epithelial cycle and results in condensation of nuclear chromatin, which itself is of pivotal importance for the fertilizing capacity of spermatozoa. The present study aimed DW GHPRQVWUDWLQJ WKH H[SUHVVLRQ RI KLVWRQH + VSHFLᚏFDOO\ DFHW\ODWHG DW O\VLQH +.DF 8 (H4K8ac), 12 (H4K12ac) and 16 (H4K16ac) during normal spermatogenesis. In addition, it VKRXOGEHFODULᚏHGZKHWKHULPSDLUHGVSHUPDWRJHQHVLVLVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKDQDEHUUDQWKLVWRQH H4 acetylation pattern. Material & Methods: )RULPPXQRKLVWRFKHPLVWU\%RXLQᚏ[HGDQGSDUDᚑQHPEHGGHGWHVWLFXODU biopsies exhibiting normal spermatogenesis (n=2) and round spermatid maturation arrest 560$ Q ZHUH FXW LQWR wP WKLFN VHFWLRQV ,Q DGGLWLRQ ZH XVHG HMDFXODWHV IURP IHUWLOH YROXQWHHUV Q 6DPSOHV ZHUH LQFXEDWHG ZLWK SRO\FORQDO SULPDU\ DQWLERGLHV $EFDP 8. followed by biotinylated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody (Dako, Germany) and avidine-biotinFRPSOH[ $%& 9HFWRU86$ UHDJHQW)LQDOO\VHFWLRQVZHUHGHYHORSHGZLWKGLDPLQREHQ]LGLQH (DAB) reagent. Results: During normal spermatogenesis, H4K5ac revealed positive signals in spermatids of stages III-V. Spermatids in RSMA displayed also positive signals. In addition, some spermatogonia were immunopositive. The antibody against H4K8ac stained approximately 50% of spermatogonia, as well as spermatids of stages III-V during normal spermatogenesis. No aberrant staining pattern could be observed during impaired spermatogenesis. Immunostaining of H4K12ac was similar to that of H4K8ac during both normal and impaired spermatogenesis. During normal spermatogenesis, elongated spermatids of stages I-II were in addition immunopositive. The antibody against H4K16ac displayed a positive immunoreaction already with pachytene spermatocytes starting at stage III of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. In addition, round spermatids of stages I-III and elongating spermatids of stages IV-V revealed positive signals. In case of RSMA, all spermatocytes were immunonegative. Within the ejaculates, only the antibody against H4K12ac showed positive signals in about 20% of the spermatozoa. Conclusions: In RSMA, lacking acetylation of H4K16 in spermatocytes may represent a possible reason for the disturbed development of spermatids. The fact that H4K12 is the only lysine residue that was acetylated in spermatozoa suggests an important role for this amino acid for fertilization and/orrly embryo development.
Eur Urol Suppl 2008;7(3):92
88 THE EFFECT OF CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, ZINC, AND COPPER IN BLOOD AND SEMINAL PLASMA ON SEMEN PARAMETERS OF SPINAL CORD INJURED MEN Mehrsai A.1, Salsabili N.2, Jalaie S.2 1 2
Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Urology Research Centre, Tehran, Iran, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, Dept. of Anatomy, Tehran, Iran
Introduction & Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine and compare the HᚎHFWRIFDOFLXP &D PDJQHVLXP 0J ]LQF =Q DQGFRSSHU &X LQEORRGDQGVHPLQDO plasma on sperm parameters of spinal cord injured (SCI) men and normal controls. Material & Methods: $ SURVSHFWLYH VWXG\ ZDV GHVLJQHG 6&, PHQ DQG neurologically intact (NI) men provided a standardized blood and semen specimen. Total Ca and Mg concentrations were determined with colorimetric and point assay SURFHGXUHV=QDQG&XZHUHGHWHUPLQHGE\ᚐDPHDWRPLFDEVRUSWLRQVSHFWURSKRWRPHWHU Semen analysis was performed according to world health organization (WHO 1999). Results: 7KHVSHUPSDUDPHWHUVLQ6&,JURXSZDVVLJQLᚏFDQWO\ORZHUWKDQ1,JURXSHG LQ PRWLOLW\ LQ QRUPDO PRUSKRORJ\ DQG LQ YLDELOLW\ 7KH QXPEHU RI OHXNRF\WHV s PO ZDV KLJKHU WKDQ 1, JURXS s PO ,Q6&,WKHPHDQFRQFHQWUDWLRQVRIVHPLQDO=QDQG&X s s PJ PO ZDV KLJKHU WKDQ EORRG SODVPD =Q DQG &X s s PJPO 3 $QGSODVPD=QKDGFRUUHODWLRQZLWKQXPEHURIVSHUP U 3 ZKHUHDVVHPLQDO=QKDGQHJDWLYHFRUUHODWLRQZLWKQXPEHURIVSHUP U 3 DQGSRVLWLYHFRUUHODWLRQZLWKVSHUPPRWLOLW\ U 3 3ODVPD&XKDGQHJDWLYH FRUUHODWLRQZLWKVSHUPPRWLOLW\ U 3 DQGOLQHDUFRUUHODWLRQZLWKQXPEHURI OHXNRF\WHV &X 1RRIOHXNRF\WHV LQVHPLQDOSODVPDEXWVHPLQDO&X KDGSRVLWLYHFRUUHODWLRQZLWKVSHUPPRWLOLW\ U 3 ,Q1,JURXSVHPLQDO=Q DQG&X ss PJPOZDVKLJKHUWKDQEORRGSODVPD=QDQG&X ss PJPO 3 Conclusions: The Ca, Mg, Zn, and Cu play an essential role in spermatogenesis and fertility, especially in motility of sperm. The low amount of seminal Zn, Cu in SCI group may be attributed to urogenital tract infection and prostititis, which was common in this group. The lack of association of seminal elements in ionized form with sperm parameters indicates that the determination of these elements in blood and seminal plasma does not discriminate fertility in spinal cord injured men. Therefore, the routine determination of these elements cannot be recommended during basic infertility investigation.