Correlation Between Serum Prolidase Activity and Selected Vitamin Deficiencies in Women With Primary and Secondary Infertility

Muthanna M. AWAD *

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Kirkuk
* Corresponding Author
ORCID Details
 
Research Article
International Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research Updates, 2026, 07(01), 083–090.
Article DOI: 10.53430/ijcpru.2026.7.1.0049
Publication history: 
Received on 17 August 2026; revised on 24 September 2026; accepted on 26 September 2026
 
Abstract: 
Overview: Female infertility is a complex condition caused by many factors including oxidative stress, depleted antioxidants, unbalanced micronutrients, changes to the extracellular matrix and inflammation in the reproductive tract that can disrupt normal functioning of both the ovaries and uterus.
Aims: To determine whether there were any associations between levels of prolidase activity and certain nutrients (vitamins A, C, and E; copper; selenium; ceruloplasmin [an antioxidant copper-carrying protein]) in serum among fertile and infertile (primary and secondary) women as well as determine if there are any correlations between both groups with regard to each variable being analysed.
Methods: This observational case-control biochemical study was conducted among women aged 18-35 years attending medical clinics in Samarra city during September 2021-April 2022. The study groups were fertile women as a control group, primary infertility women, and women with secondary infertility. Serum prolidase activity, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and selenium (Se) were assessed. Group comparisons and Pearson correlation analyses were reported according to the supplied dataset. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05 and high significance at p < 0.01.
Results: In the source file, infertile groups showed higher serum prolidase activity and MDA, and lower vitamin D, TAC, GSH, ceruloplasmin, selenium, vitamin A, and vitamin C compared with fertile women. In primary infertility, TAC showed a significant negative correlation with MDA (r = -0.388, p = 0.034), while serum prolidase activity was not significantly associated with the other tested biochemical parameters. In secondary infertility, serum prolidase activity showed a significant positive correlation with vitamin A (r = 0.459, p = 0.011). Vitamin D was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.438, p = 0.015), whereas vitamin E was positively correlated with age (r = 0.399, p = 0.029).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that women with infertility in this dataset had evidence of oxidative-antioxidant imbalance and selected vitamin alterations. Prolidase activity showed a different biochemical correlation pattern in secondary infertility compared with primary infertility. The study demonstrates associations only and does not establish causality.
 
Keywords: 
Infertility; Primary Infertility; Secondary Infertility; Vitamin D
 
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