Review of Clinical Trials on Effects of Oral Antioxidants on Basic Semen and Other Parameters in Idiopathic Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

Abstract

Infertility affects 50 to 80 million people worldwide. Male factor is a cause of infertility in almost half of cases, mainly due to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). With common diagnostic methods no cause can be found in approximately 30% of cases of male infertility due to OAT and these are considered idiopathic. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in male infertility and are proved to be higher in infertile men; antioxidants could oppose their effect. The aim of this paper was to review the literature on clinical trials in the period from year 2000 to year 2013 studying the effects of various types of antioxidant supplements on basic and other sperm parameters and pregnancy rates in subfertile males with idiopathic OAT. The majority of studies were randomized and placebo controlled and confirmed beneficial effect of antioxidants on at least one of the semen parameters; the biggest effect was determined on sperm motility. In many of these trials combinations of more antioxidants were assessed. The optimal dosages of one or more antioxidants were not defined. We concluded that antioxidants play an important role in protecting semen from ROS and can improve basic sperm parameters in case of idiopathic OAT.

Comparison of combined antioxidants and thymoquinone in the prevention of testis ischemia – reperfusion injury

“…The antioxidants, especially combined antioxidants (CA) play an important role in protecting semen from ROS and can improve basic sperm parameters in case of idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (Imamovic Kumalic & Pinter, ).…”

The Effect of Saffron on Semen Analysis in Infertile Men with Clinical Varicocele After Varicocelectomy

“…So, therapies with antioxidant properties are recommended in these patients to prevent ROS damage to metabolism, sperm motility, and morphology and to increase the fertility capacity. Many antioxidants have been studied and their role in decreasing infertility through sperm motility improvement is demonstrated (27).…”

“…Recent systemic reviews of the oral antioxidants on male infertility reported improvement in either sperm quality after antioxidant therapy due to their role in protecting semen from ROS (27,34). However, Safarinejad et al (20) observed that saffron does not significantly improve total seminal plasma antioxidant capacity.…”

Assisted reproductive techniques in men: review of clinical guidelines and workup algorithm

“…Пероральный прием антиоксидантов в процессе подготовки к проведению ВРТ позволяет улучшить параметры эякулята и вероятность рождения ребенка [22]. Невозможно дать конкретные рекомендации по применению гонадотропинов, антиэстрогенов и антиоксидантов для какой-либо категории пациентов (В).…”