Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40002352›Full record

ReviewAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Association Between Zinc Levels and the Impact of Its Deficiency on Idiopathic Male Infertility: An Up-to-Date Review.

Nebojša Zečević, Aleksandra Veselinović, Milan Perović, Aleksandar Stojsavljević

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
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  3. Trichomonas vaginalis cathepsin D-like aspartic proteinase (Tv-CatD) is regulated by iron at different levels.Biometals : an international journal on the role of metal ions in biology, biochemistry, and medicine · 2026
    Article
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  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Nebojša ZečevićClinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics "Narodni Front", Kraljice Natalije 62, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Aleksandra VeselinovićCognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Developmental Institute "Life Activities Advancement Institute", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0001-9114-8278
Milan PerovićClinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics "Narodni Front", Kraljice Natalije 62, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0002-9054-6407
Aleksandar StojsavljevićInnovative Centre of the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.ORCID 0000-0002-6221-3437

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundZinc (Zn) is an essential metal that plays a critical role in normal testicular development, spermatogenesis, prevention of sperm degradation, and overall male fertility. This review aims to offer a comprehensive and current overview of seminal plasma Zn levels in fertile men worldwide. It also aims to compare Zn levels in seminal plasma and blood (serum/plasma) between infertile men (cases) and fertile men (controls), examine the impact of Zn on sperm quality and the reproductive hormone, and highlight the effects of Zn supplementation therapy in male infertility.

methodsTo achieve these goals, peer-reviewed studies from 2000 to 2024 were interrogated with regard to strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and were then thoroughly reviewed and analyzed.

resultsOur findings indicate that maintaining optimal seminal plasma Zn levels is crucial, as low Zn levels are linked to impaired spermatogenesis and male infertility, while high Zn levels can cause oxidative stress and other changes that contribute to infertility. Seminal plasma Zn levels from 100 to 200 mg/L among fertile men worldwide can be roughly considered safe. Comparative analysis showed that a greater number of studies reported lower levels of seminal Zn in cases than in controls. Research into the impact of Zn levels in seminal plasma has shown that, although the results are not yet conclusive, altered (non-normal) Zn levels could influence semen parameters-particularly motility, morphology, and sperm count-and the level of the reproductive hormone, testosterone. Zinc-deficient infertile men could benefit from supplement therapy.

conclusionsAssessment of seminal plasma Zn levels in infertile men could provide valuable information and aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.

Indexed as

deficiencyinfertilitysperm qualitysupplementationzinc

Identifiers

PMID40002352
PMCPMC11851646

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.