Correlation between zinc, copper, and calcium concentration in seminal plasma and the characteristics of semen in relation to breed and age of stallions

This work aimed to establish correlation between concentration of zinc, copper and calcium in seminal plasma and characteristics of semen of stallions of various breeds (Thoroughbred -TB, Great Polish Horses -GPH, Polish Primitive Horses -PPH) and aged (less than or equal to 11 years, >11 years, >14 years). Measurements revealed interbreed differences in the concentration of zinc (TB:GPH, TB:PPH), copper (PPH:TB) and calcium (GPH:TB) in the seminal plasma of stallions. No age-dependent alterations in the element concentrations of plasma were found in stallions. There was a significantly (P<0.05) positive correlation between zinc and copper concentrations in the seminal plasma (PPH) and a positive correlation between selected characteristics of stallion semen, especially between zinc and concentration of spermatozoa,(GPH, PPH, stallions less than or equal to 11 years of age, > 11 years, all stallions), between calcium and spermatozoa with secondary changes (GPH, stallions less than or equal to 11 years of age, all stallions) and also a negative correlation between copper concentration and motile- and live spermatozoa (TB, GPH, stallions >11 years of age, all stallions).