Correlation between serum zinc and testosterone: A systematic review

Te et al., 2023 | J Trace Elem Med Biol | Systematic Review

Citation

Te Liger, Liu Junsheng, ... Wang Shusong. Correlation between serum zinc and testosterone: A systematic review. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2023-Mar;76:127124. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127124

Abstract

Zinc is a vital trace element for normal function of the living system. In male, zinc is involved in various biological processes, an important function of which is as a balancer of hormones such as testosterone. For this purpose, studies related to the influence of zinc on serum testosterone were selected and summarized, including the effect of dietary zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation on testosterone concentrations. After preliminary searching of papers on databases, 38 papers including 8 clinical and 30 animal studies were included in this review. We concluded that zinc deficiency reduces testosterone levels and zinc supplementation improves testosterone levels. Furthermore, the effect degree of zinc on serum testosterone may vary depending on basal zinc and testosterone levels, zinc dosage form, elementary zinc dose, and duration. In conclusion, serum zinc was positively correlated with total testosterone, and moderate supplementation plays an important role in improving androgen.

Key Findings

In conclusion, serum zinc was positively correlated with total testosterone, and moderate supplementation plays an important role in improving androgen.

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Animals
• Male
• Testosterone
• Zinc
• Trace Elements

Evidence Classification

• Level: Systematic Review
• Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
• Vertical: zinc-testosterone

Provenance

• PMID: 36577241
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127124
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09