Aim: To evaluate the early and late long-term effects of vasectomy on the serum and prostatic fluid trace elements.
Methods: In 37 vasectomized and 25 non-vasectomized (control) men, the Zn, Cd and Cu levels in the serum and prostatic fluid were measured by means of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
Results: No significant difference was found in the prostatic Zn, Cd and Cu levels between the vasectomized and control group. The Zn level in the serum were significantly lower in the vasectomized men than in the controls (11.04 and 13.54 umol/L, respectively; P < 0.05), while the serum Cd and Cu levels were not significantly different between the two groups.
Conclusion: Vasectomy may decrease the serum, but not the prostatic Zn levels. Its pathophysiological significance is worthy of further investigation.