Relationship of blood and seminal plasma ceruloplasmin, copper, iron and cadmium concentrations with sperm quality in Merino rams

The aim of the current study was to investigate the concentrations of ceruloplasmin, copper, iron, zinc and cadmium concentrations in blood serum and seminal plasma obtained from Merino rams. In addition, their relationship with sperm parameters, fertility rate and litter size were also studied. Blood and ejaculate samples (6 replicates) were taken in October from 19 Merino rams, aged between 18 and 24 months. Ceruloplasmin, copper, iron, zinc and cadmium in blood serum and seminal plasma were determined. Sperm parameters including volume, mass motility, motility, concentration, Hos-test, viability, abnormal sperm and acrosome abnormality in semen, fertility rate and litter size were also evaluated. Highly positive correlation was found between blood ceruloplasmin and blood copper concentrations (r = 0.812, p < 0.001), whereas negative correlation were determined between these parameters in seminal plasma (r = -0.195, p < 0.05). Seminal plasma copper concentration was positively correlated with seminal plasma cadmium (r = 0.206, p < 0.05) and seminal plasma iron (r = 0,305, p < 0.01) concentrations. Negative correlation was determined between blood ceruloplasmin level and acrosomal defect (r = -0.443, p < 0.05). Seminal plasma ceruloplasmin level was positively correlated with volume (r = 0.255, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with abnormal sperm (r = -0.186, p = 0.058) and acrosome abnormality (r = -0.213, p < 0.05). Seminal plasma iron concentration was positively correlated with other abnormality (r = 0.257, p < 0.01). Seminal plasma cadmium concentration was positively correlated with sperm abnormality (r = 0.207, p = 0.052) and other abnormality (r = 0.262, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with fertility rate (r = -0.449, p = 0.054). Blood cadmium concentration was negatively correlated with litter size (r = -0.579, p < 0.01). In conclusion, blood and seminal plasma ceruloplasmin may be suggested to have positive influence regardless of copper with its antioxidant property whereas iron and cadmium have negative influence on sperm parameters and fertility in Merino rams.