Objective: To evaluate the selenium status and oxidative stress in male infertility cases selected from a private human reproduction center in the state of Ceará, Brazil.
Methods: The present study had a cross-sectional quantitative approach, carried out between January and October 2013 at a Human Reproduction Center. The studied population was composed of 49 male individuals seen at the clinic, aged between 18 and 60 years. Blood samples were collected to measure serum selenium concentrations, erythrocyte activity and glutathione peroxidase. After medical diagnosis, the participants were divided into fertile and infertile groups. Blood samples were collected for establishing Se concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes, and measurements of the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase in the erythrocytes.
Result: it resulted in 53.1% of fertile men and 46.9% of infertile men. The average age of the fertile group was 34.1 years and the infertile group was 37.3 years. Regarding the assessment of nutritional status, the scatter diagram of the infertility group showed a higher body mass index and waist circumference, showing that this group has a higher risk of global and abdominal obesity compared to the fertile group (p<0.0001, respectively). There were similarities between the groups regarding caloric intake, macronutrient and selenium intake.
Conclusion: We can conclude that the serum values of selenium, in excess and in deficiency, can be harmful to male fertility.
Keywords: male infertility; overweight; oxidative stress; selenium.