With changes in the modes of life and work, infertility is becoming a serious international problem. The incidence of infertility is 10－15% of the couples of childbearing age in China and is increasing year by year, and 30－50% of the cases are related to male factors. Trace elements refer to the chemical elements that account for less than 1/10,000 of the total weight of the human body, of which less than 100 mg is required per person per day. They are important biochemical components in the semen. Trace elements are essential for normal spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and capacitation, and maintenance of normal sperm function, though sperm quality can be affected by genetic, epigenetic, environmental and lifestyle-related factors. This focuses on the latest progress in the studies of the effects of trace elements on sperm quality.
Keywords: trace elements; sperm quality; fertility.