Background: Zinc is essential for the normal functioning of the male reproductive system. The data on the diagnostic value of the determination of zinc in human spermoplasm and the relationship of its level with the main parameters of sperm fertility are contradictory. Aims: Study of correlations of zinc level in spermoplasm with spermogram characteristics. Methods: Sperm of men of reproductive age (n=486, average age 33.073.03 years) was studied. In addition to the standard spermogram, MAR tests (IgA, IgG and IgM) were performed in the sperm samples, the degree of fragmentation of sperm DNA was assessed, the interaction of sperm with hyaluronic acid was assessed, acrosine activity, neutral alpha-glucosidase activity was determined, citric acid, fructose and glycodelin levels were determined, the level of reactive oxygen species was studied. Determination of the zinc level in the spermoplasm was carried out by a standard spectrophotometric method with 5-Br-PAPS chromogen. Pearson's formula was used for correlation analysis. The study was conducted from 2018 to May 2022, once. Results: A significant negative correlation of the zinc level in the spermoplasm with the age of men was revealed (r=-0.1625, p0.001). The level of zinc in the spermoplasm was weakly negatively correlated with the dilution time and with the viscosity of the sperm. The positive correlation was with the number of spermatozoa (r=0.1345, p0.01) and their mobility (r=0.3825, p0.00001). The level of zinc in the spermoplasm negatively correlates with the degree of fragmentation of sperm DNA and with the amount of reactive oxygen species, and with the test for binding of sperm with hyaluronic acid positively. Conclusions: The level of zinc in the spermoplasm significantly correlates with a number of physiological and biochemical characteristics of sperm. The data obtained allow us to recommend the determination of zinc in the sperm plasma not only to assess the functional activity of the prostate gland, but also to diagnose the fertility of the ejaculate, as well as to optimize therapy with zinc-containing drugs and improve control over the effectiveness of the treatment.

Abstract Backgraund: The pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (CAVID-19) requires an assessment of the potential risks of affecting the male reproductive system and, in particular, the parameters of sperm. The most common (more than 80%) were mild and asymptomatic forms of infection. Objective: Study of the effect of mild and asymptomatic course of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on male sperm parameters. Materials and methods: The study included 397 patients who applied for a spermogram. All patients underwent a spermogram study according to the WHO protocol, additionally determined the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation, a test for sperm binding to hyaluronic acid (HBA test), acrosine activity, fructose level, zinc level, citric acid level, neutral a-glucosidase activity, and serum antibodies (IgM and IgG) were determined against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The study was conducted twice with an interval of 3-5 months. Results: At the first examination, it was found that normozoospermia was in 33.5% (n=133) of patients, pathospermia-in 66.5% (n=264). All patients had no antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). When repeated examination after 3-5 months, antibodies (IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 144 patients (in 14.6% (n=21) coronavirus infection was mild, and in 85.4% (n=123) asymptomatic). Further analysis of the data from the survey of untreated patients (131 patients without antibody against SARS-CoV-2 and 93 patients with antibody (IgG) against SARS-CoV-2) was performed using the Student's paired test. The results of the test for the interaction of spermatozoa with hyaluronic acid (HBA test) deteriorated and had statistically significant differences after coronavirus infection in both mild form (p=0.006) and asymptomatic form (p=0.001). There were no statistically significant changes in sperm parameters (including those from the HBA test) in patients who did not experience a new coronavirus infection. Conclusions: Mild and asymptomatic forms of the course of a new coronavirus infection (CAVID-19) can negatively affect the interaction of sperm with hyaluronic acid (HBA test). You should pay attention to the HBA test when examining the sperm of patients who have suffered a new coronovirus infection (COVID-19).