Role of Zinc (Zn) in Human Reproduction: A Journey from Initial Spermatogenesis to Childbirth

Zinc (Zn), the second-most necessary trace element, is abundant in the human body. The human body lacks the capacity to store Zn; hence, the dietary intake of Zn is essential for various functions and metabolism. The uptake of Zn during its transport through the body is important for proper development of the three major accessory sex glands: the testis, epididymis, and prostate. It plays key roles in the initial stages of germ cell development and spermatogenesis, sperm cell development and maturation, ejaculation, liquefaction, the binding of spermatozoa and prostasomes, capacitation, and fertilization. The prostate releases more Zn into the seminal plasma during ejaculation, and it plays a significant role in sperm release and motility. During the maternal, labor, perinatal, and neonatal periods, the part of Zn is vital. The average dietary intake of Zn is in the range of 8–12 mg/day in developing countries during the maternal period. Globally, the dietary intake of Zn varies for pregnant and lactating mothers, but the average Zn intake is in the range of 9.6–11.2 mg/day. The absence of Zn and the consequences of this have been discussed using critical evidence. The events and functions of Zn related to successful fertilization have been summarized in detail. Briefly, our current review emphasizes the role of Zn at each stage of human reproduction, from the spermatogenesis process to childbirth. The role of Zn and its supplementation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) opens opportunities for future studies on reproductive biology.     

Synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of polymolybdenum(VI) phenylsiloxanes by means of different methods

Interaction of molybdenyl(VI) bis(acetylacetonate) with polyphenylsiloxane in xylene and under mechanochemical activation conditions has been investigated. The interaction in solution proceeds with splitting of the siloxane bond and formation of polymolybdenum(VI) phenylsiloxane with different silicon/metal ratios. The fractions with the silicon/metal ratio < 2 are characterized with high degree of crystallinity and low solubility, whereas those with the ratio > 2 are amorphous. The interaction of the above reagents under mechanical activation conditions proceeds with the formation of soluble polymers similar to those obtained in a solution with the silicon/molybdenum ratio equal to 2.6. The crystal chemistry parameters of the fraction obtained in solution with the ratio Si/Mo equals to 1:2 have been calculated on the basis of the X-ray diffraction analysis data using the Debye–Shearer equation. It has been demonstrated that the chain cross section found using the Miller–Boyer method coincides with that calculated geometrically on the basis of literature data on bond lengths and angles. It is shown that the interaction of molybdenyl(VI) bis(acetylacetonate) with polyphenylsiloxane takes place in solution more deeply than under the conditions of mechanochemical activation and is accompanied by the process of separation siloxanes connection. This leads to the formation of a fraction with smaller ratio of substances than the initial ratio.