Oxalate in human seminal plasma: possible significance and problems of oxalate determination.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the level of oxalate in seminal plasma and to correlate it with andrologic variables.

DESIGN

Laboratory examination.

SETTING

University-based department of andrology and department of clinical chemistry.

PATIENT(S): One hundred male outpatients with infertility.

INTERVENTION(S): Isolated seminal plasma was stored for 120 days at -20 degrees C.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Levels of oxalic acid in seminal plasma.

RESULT(S): Oxalate levels in seminal plasma depend on the degradation of ascorbic acid to oxalic acid during storage. There was a linear nonenzymatic increase of oxalate with storage time. After 120 days of storage, the values were 133 +/- 50 micromol/L (n = 100). Oxalic acid correlated significantly with the number of sperm head anomalies, the pH value, and the age of the donors and correlated negatively with the volume of ejaculate.

CONCLUSION(S): Oxalic acid in seminal plasma may influence male fertility.