Seminal Lipids as Energy Substrate for the Spermatozoa

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Abstract
The level of fructose, NEFA [non-esterified fatty acids], triglycerides and lipase activity were determined in the semen of 17 normozoospermic, 10 oligozoospermic and 10 azoospermic men, immediately and 2 h after seminal liquefaction. The levels of fructose and NEFA were significantly decreased while triglycerides showed a significant increase. These phenomena were more marked in normozoospermic, less marked in oligozoospermic, and absent in azoospermic men. Both fructose and free fatty acids apparently are utilized by sperm to supply energy or incorporated by them into triglycerides. No lipase activity was detected.