Skip to main content
Log in

The role of zinc in reproduction

Hormonal mechanisms

Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Zinc is a very important element in the reproductive cycle of species. In humans, it is necessary for the formation and maturation of spermatozoa, for ovulation, and for fertilization. During pregnancy, zinc deficiency causes a number of anomalies: spontaneous abortion, pregnancy-related toxemia, extended pregnancy or prematurity, malformations, and retarded growth. Delivery is adversely affected by deficiency. These different effects of zinc can be explained by its multiple action on the metabolism of androgen hormones, estrogen and progesterone, together with the prostaglandins. Nuclear receptors for steroids are all zinc finger proteins. Zinc supplementation has already proven beneficial in male sterility and in reducing complications during pregnancy. However, it would be worth conducting larger-scale trials to confirm these beneficial effects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. A. A. Abbassi, A. S. Prasad, J. Ortega, E. Congco, and D. Oberleas,Ann. Int. Med. 85, 601–605 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  2. A. A. Abbassi, A. S. Prasad, and P. Rabbani,Trans. Ass. Am. Ph. 92, 292–302 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. A. Abbassi, A. S. Prasad, P. Rabbani, and E. Dumouchelle,J. Lab. Clin. Med. 96, 544–550 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  4. F. A. Adeniyi,Act. Obst. Gynecol. Scand. 66, 579–582 (1987).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. P. J. Aggett and R. K. Chandra,Trace Elements in Nutrition of Children, R. K. Chandra, ed., Nestlé Nutrition, Raven, New York, 1985, pp. 137.

    Google Scholar 

  6. K. Antoniou, M. Vassulaki-Grimani, D. Lolis, and A. P. Grimanis,J. Radioanal. Chem. 70, 77–84 (1982).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. L. D. Antoniou, R. Shalhoub, T. Sudhakar, and J. C. Smith,Lancet 29 Oct., 895–898 (1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. J. Apgar,Ann. Rev. Nutr. 5, 43–68 (1985).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. S. Arver,J. Trace Elem. Electrolytes Health Dis. 1, 45–47 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. F. K. Assadi and M. Ziai,Ped. Res. 19, 167A (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  11. B. A. Bassiouni, A. I. Foda, and A. A. Rafei,Europ. J. Obst. Gynec. Reprod. Biol. 9, 75 (1979).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. R. S. Beach, M. E. Gershwin, and L. S. Hurley,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 38, 579–590 (1983).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. K. E. Bergman, D. Makopsch, and K. H. Tews,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 33, 2145–2150 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  14. J. M. Brandes, A. Lightman, J. Itskovitz, and O. Zinder,Biol. Neonate 38, 66–70 (1980).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M. W. Breskin, B. Worthington-Roberts, R. Knopp, Z. Brown, B. Plovie, K. Mottet, and J. Mills,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 38, 943–953 (1983).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. M. H. Briggs, M. Griggs, and A. Watakama,Experientia 28, 406 (1972).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. M. H. Brophy, N. F. Harris, and I. L. Crawford,Clin. Chim. Acta 107–112 (1985).

  18. M. H. Brophy,Biol. Psychiatry 21, 702–707 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. P. K. Buamah and M. Russell,Brit. J. Obst. Gyn. 91, 788–790 (1984).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. G. P. Budzik, J. M. Hutson, H. Ikawa, and P. K. Donahoe,Endocrinology 110, 1521–1525 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. G. E. Bunce, G. R. Wilson, C. F. Mills, and A. Klopper,Biochem. J. 210, 761–767 (1983).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. G. E. Bunce, and M. Vessal,J. Steroid Biochem. 26, 303–308 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. A. A. Caldamone, M. K. Freytag, and A. T. Cockett,Urology 13, 280–281 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. M. Campbell-Brown, R. J. Ward, A. P. Haines, W. R. S. North, R. Abraham, and I. R. Mc Fayden,Br. J. of Obst. Gyn. 92, 875–885 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. M. Castro-Magana, P. J. Collipp, S. Y. Chen, T. Cheruvansky, and V. Maddiah,Am. J. Dis. Child. 135, 322–325 (1981).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. A. O. Cavdar, A. Arcassoy, S. Cin, and H. Gumus,Hematologica 65, 403–408 (1980).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. A. O. Cavdar, A. Arcassoy, S. Cin, E. Babacar, and S. Gozdasaglu,Zinc Deficiency in Human Subjects, Alan R. Liss, New York, 1983, p. 71.

    Google Scholar 

  28. A. O. Cavdar, E. Babacan, A. Arcasoy, and U. Ertem,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 33, 542–544 (1980).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. A. O. Cavdar, M. Bahceci, N. Akar, J. Erten, G. Bahceci, E. Babacan, A. Arcasoy, and H. Yavuz,J. Trace Elem. Electrolytes Health Dis. 2, 9–19 (1988).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. F. F. Cherry, E. A. Bennett, G. S. Bazzano, L. K. Johnson, G. J. Fosmire, and H. K. Bortson,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 34, 2367 (1981).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. F. Cherry, H. Sandstead, P. Rojas, L. Johnson, H. Batson, and X. Wang,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 50, 945–954 (1989).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. D. S. Colvar and E. M. Wilson,Biochemistry 23, 3471–3478 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. S. Cunnane, E. Majid, J. Senior, and C. F. Mills,Life Science 32, 2471–2478 (1983).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. A. Dib and J. P. Carreau,Ann. Nutr. Metab. 31, 312–319 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. I. E. Dreosti,Clinical Applications of Recent Advances in Zinc Metabolism, Alan R. Liss, New York, 1982, p. 19.

    Google Scholar 

  36. I. E. Dreosti and R. M. Smith,Neurobiology of the Trace Elements, vols. 1 and 2, Humana, Clifton, New Jersey (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  37. U. J. Erickson,J. Nutr. 114, 477–484 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  38. P. Faure, A. M. Roussel, A. Favier, and S. Halimi (1990),Diabete et Metabolisme, in press.

  39. A. Favier, (1981) Mise au point de microdosages des oligoéléments Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, par absorption atomique sans flamme. Rôle de ces éléments dans la gestation. Thèse d'Etat ès Sciences, Grenoble.

  40. A. Favier, D. Ruffieux, G. Decoux, and J. Arnaud,J. Inh. Metab. Dis. 6, supl 2, 93–94 (1983).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. M. Favier, A. Favier, E. Robert, M. Guignier, and Y. Malinas,Rev Fr. Gyn. Obst. 82, 575–587 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. A. Favier, B. Dardelet, M. J. Richard, and J. Arnaud,Trace Elements in Man and Animals, Plenum, New York, 1988, p. 609.

    Google Scholar 

  43. D. Fehily, K. Keohane, F. Cremin, and D. M. Jenkins,TEMA 6, Asilomar (1987).

  44. D. Fehily, A. Kiswani, D. M. Jenkins, and F. M. Gremin,J. Trace Elem. Electrolytes Health Dis. 1, 63–68 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. J. H. Fishman and J. Fishman,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com. 144, 505–511 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. A. Flynn, S. S. Martin, R. J. Sokol, S. Miller, N. Golden, and B. Del Villano,The Lancet 14 572–574 (1981).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. R. H. Follis, H. G. Day, and E. V. McCollum,J. Nutr. 22, 223–237 (1941).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. G. J. Fosmire, Y. Y. Al Ubaidi, and H. H. Sandstead,Ped. Res. 9, 89–93 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  49. D. Gallaher and L. S. Hurley,J. Nutr. 110, 591–593 (1980).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. S. Z. Ghavani-Maibodi, P. J. Colipp, M. Castro-Magana, C. Stewart, and S. Y. Chen,Ann. Nutr. Metab. 27, 214–219 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  51. F. K. Ghishan and H. L. Green,Ped. Res. 17, 529–531 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. A. Ghosh, L. Y. Y. Fong, C. W. Wan, S. T. Liang, J. S. K. Woo, and V. Wong,Br. J. Obst. Gyn. 92, 886–891 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. M. S. Golub, M. E. Gershwin, L. S. Hurley, D. Baly, and A. G. Hendrickx,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 39, 265–280 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. M. Golub, E. Gershwin, L. Hurley, D. Baly, and A. Hendrickx,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 39, 879–887 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. R. M. Hackman and L. S. Hurley,Teratology 28, 355–368 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. N. Hahn and C. Fuchs,Zbl. Gynak. 96, 1520–1523 (1974).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. E. S. Halas and H. H. Sandstead,Pediat. Res. 9, 94–97 (1975).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. E. S. Halas and H. H. Standstead,Fed. Proc. 41, 781 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  59. J. A. Halsted, H. A. Ronaghy, P. Abadi, M. Haghshenass, G. H. Amirhakemi, R. M. Barakat, and J. G. Rheinbold,Am. J. Med. 53, 277–284 (1972).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. K. M. Hambidge and W. Droegemueller,Obst. Gyn. 44, 666–672 (1974).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. K. M. Hambidge, K. H. Nelder, and P. A. Walravens,Lancet 1, 577, 578 (1975).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. K. M. Hambidge, N. F. Krebs, M. A. Jacobs, A. Favier, L. Guyette, and D. N. Ike,Am. J. Clin. 37, 429–442 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. R. J. Hartoma, K. Naboul, and A. Netter,Lancet II, 1125–1126 (1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. N. Helbecque and J. P. Henichart,Médecine et Sciences 4, 624–628 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  65. R. I. Henkin, J. R. Marshall, and S. Meret,Am. J. Obst. Gynecol. 110, 131–134 (1971).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. J. E. Hesketh,J. Comp. Path. 99, 239–247 (1982).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. J. L. Hinks, A. Ogilvy-Stuart, K. M. Hambidge, and V. Walker,Br. J. Obst. Gyn. 96, 61–66 (1989).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. K. S. Hirsch and L. S. Hurley,Teratology 17, 303–314 (1978).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. I. F. Hunt, N. J. Murphy, A. Cleaver, B. Faraji, M. Swendseid, A. Coulson, V. Clark, B. Browdy, M. T. Cabalum, and J. C. Smith,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 40, 508–521 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. I. F. Hunt, N. J. Murphy, P. Martiner Hewes, B. Faraji, M. Swendseid, R. Reynolds, A. Sanchez, and A. Muja,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 46, 563–569 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. L. S. Hurley and D. L. Baly,Clinical, Biochemical, and Nutritional Aspects of Trace Elements, Alan R. Liss, New York, 1982, p. 145.

    Google Scholar 

  72. A. J. Jackson and H. J. Schumacher,Teratology 19, 341–344 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. S. Jameson, (1976) Effects of zinc deficiency in human reproduction. Thèse de l'Université de Linkoping, Suède.

  74. S. Jameson,Acta Med. Scand. 593 (Suppl), 3–89 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  75. S. Jameson,Clinical Applications of Recent Advances in Zinc Metabolism, Alan R. Liss, New York, 1982, p. 39.

    Google Scholar 

  76. S. Jameson,Zinc Deficiency in Human Subjects, Alan R. Liss, New York, (1983), p. 53.

    Google Scholar 

  77. J. Joven, C. Villabona, J. Rubies-Prat, E. Espinel, and E. Galard,Clin. Chim. Acta 148, 239–245 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. C. L. Keen, M. S. Clegg, B. Lonnerdal, and L. S. Hurley,Trace Elements in Man and Animals, vol. 6, Plenum, New York, 1988, p. 203.

    Google Scholar 

  79. C. L. Keen and L. S. Hurley,Zinc in Human Biology, eds., Springer-Verlag, 1989, p. 183.

  80. S. Kellokumpu and H. Rajamiemi,Biol. Reprod. 24, 298–305 (1981).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. L. D. Keppen, T. Pysher, and O. M. Rennert,Ped. Res. 19, 944–947 (1985).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. P. Kiilholma, R. Paul, P. Pakarinen, and M. Gronroos,Acta. Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. 63, 629–631 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. C. A. Kimmel, R. E. Butcher, and H. J. Schummacher,Anat. Res. 172, 345 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  84. J. C. King and J. R. Turnlund,Zinc in Human Biology, Springer-Verlag, Londres, 1988, p. 336.

    Google Scholar 

  85. N. F. Krebs, K. M. Hambidge, M. A. Jacobs, and J. O. Rasbash,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 41, 560–570 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. A. Krust, S. Green, and P. Argos,EMBO J. 5, 891–897 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. S. Kumar,Nutr. Rep. Int. 13, 33–36 (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. J. L. Lafond, B. Sele, and A. Favier,J. Trace Elem. Electrolytes Health Dis. 2, 19–22 (1988).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. R. Laitinen, A. S. Siimes, E. Vuori, and S. Salmela,Biol. Trace El. Res. 6, 415–421 (1984).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. N. Lazebnik, B. R. Kuhnert, P. M. Kuhnert, and K. Thompson,Trace Elements in Man and Animals, vol. 6, L. S. Hurley, ed., New York, 1988, p. 605.

  91. A. Leake, G. D. Chisholm, and F. K. Halib,J. Steroid Biochem. 20, 651–655 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. D. Lentz and M. E. Gershwin,Developmental and Comparative Immunology 8, 1–5 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. P. H. Lohmar and D. O. Toft,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com. 67, 8–15 (1975).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. C. J. MacClain, J. S. Gavaler, and D. H. Van Thiel,J. Lab. Clin. Med. 104, 1007–1015 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  95. S. Mahajan, A. Abbasi, A. S. Prasad, P. Rabbani, W. Briggs, and F. McDonald,Ann. Int. Med. 97, 357–361 (1982).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. K. Mahomed, D. K. James, and K. McCabe,Brit. Med. J. 299, 826–830 (1989).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. J. Marmar, S. Katz, D. E. Praiss, and T. J. De Benedictis,Fertil Steril. 26, 1057–1063 (1975).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. R. J. Matusik, C. Kreis, and P. Mc Nicol,Biochem. Cell. Biol. 64, 601–607 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  99. N. J. Meadows, W. Ruse, M. Smith, P. W. N. Keeling, D. Bloxam, J. Day, J. W. Scopes, and R. P. Thompson,Lancet,ii, 1135–1137 (1981).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  100. N. J. Meadows, S. C. Cunnane, P. W. N. Keeling, and R. P. H. Thompson,Zinc Deficiency in Human Subjects, Alan R. Liss, New York, 1983, p. 139.

    Google Scholar 

  101. G. D. Mieden, C. L. Keen, L. S. Hurley, and N. W. Klein,J. Nutr. 116, 2424–2431 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. M. Mukherjee, H. H. Sandstead, M. Ratnaparklir, L. Johnson, D. Milne, and H. Stelling,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 40, 496–507 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  103. P. B. Mutch, and L. S. Hurley,Am. J. Physiol. 238, E26-E31 (1980).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. A. Netter, R. Hartoma, and K. Naboul,Arch of Andrology 7, 69–73 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Y. Nishi, S. Hatano, K. Aimara, H. Okahata, H. Karvamura, K. Tanaka, Y. Miyachi, and T. Usui,Pediatric Research 18, 232 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Y. Nishi, S. Hatano, K. Aihara, A. Fujie, and M. Kihara,J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 8, 93–97 (1989).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  107. P. I. Oteiza, C. L. Keen, B. Lonnerdal, and L. S. Hurley,Trace Elements in Man and Animals, L. S. Hurley, ed., Plenum, New York, 1988, p. 631.

    Google Scholar 

  108. A. S. Prasad, ed.,Ann. Rev. Toxicol. 20, 393 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  109. A. S. Prasad and Z. T. Cossak,Ann. Intern. Med. 100, 367–371 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. I. Qvist, M. Abdulla, M. Jagestad, and S. Swensson,Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. 65, 12–22 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  111. K. Raja, P. Leach, G. Smith, D. McCarthy, and T. Peters,Clin. Chim. Acta 123, 19–26 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. I. R. Record,Neurotoxicology 8, 369–378 (1987).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  113. A. W. Root, G. Duckett, M. Sweetland, and E. O. Reiter,J. Nutr. 109, 958–964 (1979).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. U. Rosick, E. Rosick, and P. Bratter,J. Clin. Chem. Biochem. 21, 363–372 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  115. L. S. Sever and I. Emanual,Teratology 7, 117 (1973).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. N. A. Shaw, H. C. Dickey, H. M. Brugman, D. L. Blamberg, and J. F. Witter,Lab. Anim. 8, 1–7 (1974).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. J. C. L. Shaw,Am. J. Dis. Child. 133, 1260–1268 (1979).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. G. Shymala and Y. F. Yeh,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com. 64, 408–415 (1975).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  119. K. Simmer, N. Punchard, G. Murphy, and R. P. Thompson,Ped. Res. 19, 697–700 (1985).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  120. K. Simmer and R. P. Thompson,Clin. Sci. 68, 395–399 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  121. M. H. Soltan and D. M. Jenkins,Brit. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 89, 56–58 (1982).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  122. M. H. Soltan and D. M. Jenkins,Br. J. Obst. Gyne. 90, 457–459 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. M. K. Song and N. F. Adham,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 41, 1201–1209 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  124. S. Southon, C. M. Williams, and S. J. Fairweather-Tait,Trace Elements in Man and Animals, Plenum, New York, 1988, p. 601.

    Google Scholar 

  125. K. B. Spenger, J. Schmitz, D. Hetzel, D. Bundshu, and H. E. Franz,Coutr. Nephrol. 38, 119–125 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  126. M. Statter, Z. Schumert, N. Linder, J. S. Younis, Y. Servadio, and D. Weinstein,Trace Elements in Medicine,5, 137–138 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  127. C. A. Swanson and J. C. King,Fed. Proc. 42, 3, 390 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  128. H. Swenerton and L. S. Hurley,J. Nutr. 95, 8–18 (1968).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  129. H. Swenerton and L. S. Hurley,J. Nutr. 110, 575–583 (1980).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  130. J. Taper, J. Olivia, and S. J. Ritchey,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 41, 1184–1192 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  131. J. R. Turnlund,Stable Isotopes in Nutrition, 3–52 (1984).

  132. J. Y. Uriu-Hare, J. S. Stern, and C. L. Keen,Fed. Proc. 46, 495 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  133. S. C. Vir, A. H. Love, and W. Thompson,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 34, 2800–2807 (1981).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  134. J. Vorman, V. Hollgriegl, H. J. Merker, and T. Gunther,Biol. Trace El. Res. 10, 25–35 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  135. T. Wanatabe, F. Sato, and A. Endo,Yamagata Med. J. 1, 13–20 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  136. S. Zidenberg-Chen, J. Rosenbaum, and C.L. Keen,Trace Elements in Man and Animals, vol. 6, L. S. Hurley, ed., Plenum, New York, 1988, p. 613.

    Google Scholar 

  137. A. W. Zimmerman, B. S. Dunham, D. J. Nochimson, B. Kaplan, J. M. Clive, and S. L. Kunkel,Am. J. Obst. Gynecol. 149, 523–529 (1984).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  138. A. W. Zimmerman,Neurology 34, 443–450 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Favier, A.E. The role of zinc in reproduction. Biol Trace Elem Res 32, 363–382 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02784623

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02784623

Index Entries

Navigation