Therapeutic supplementation with antioxidants and vitamins improved sperm motility among infertile men with idiopathic low spermatogenesis.

BACKGROUND

Spermatogenesis is worsened by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants could reduce ROS induced sperm damage.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of a combination of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants on the sperm quality parameters of infertile men with idiopathic low spermatogenesis. Seminal fluid analysis tests were performed before treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

The treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the rate (%) of sperm motility from 16.95±6.93 to 23.11±8.87, after 3 months and reached 23.68±8.73 after 6 months (p=0.0006) whereas a non-significant increase in sperm count (from 13.05±8.1 to 15.79±7.9 after 3 months and 15.26±10.3 million/ml after 6 months (p=0.1650). Morphology and agglutination showed little changes. A positive correlation between sperm count and motility was observed after 3 months of treatment (r = 0.594; p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of vitamins and antioxidants improved the sperm motility significantly and to a lesser extent the sperm count, however, sperm morphology and agglutination remained relatively unchanged. Using antioxidants is safe and can improve semen parameters.