Determination of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and copper contents in rooster seminal plasma and their effects on semen quality

It has been documented that minerals affect male fertility and subsequent reproduction in human and animals. The aim of this investigation was to assess calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) contents of rooster seminal plasma following normal feeding of diet and investigate their correlation with spermatozoa characteristics. Fifty-one semen samples were collected from ten roosters. Semen samples were evaluated concerning sperm motility and viability. Ca, P, Mg, Fe, and Cu contents of seminal plasma were evaluated by commercial kits. The mean concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Fe, and Cu were 6.52 ± 0.4 mg/dl, 3.89 ± 0.18 mg/dl, 3.89 ± 0.2 mg/dl, 231.58 ± 6.23 μg/dl, and 425.40 ± 17.18 μg/dl, respectively. Forward progressive motility of spermatozoa was significantly associated with Ca (r = 0.57), Mg (r = 0.42), Fe (r = 0.87), and Cu (r = 0.66) concentrations of seminal plasma (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant association between viability of spermatozoa and Ca (r = 0.58), Mg (r = 0.41), Fe (r = 0.87), and Cu (r = 0.67) contents of seminal plasma (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Cu concentrations of seminal plasma may differ between roosters following feeding with the same diet and correlated with spermatozoa characteristics.