The Effect of Oral Vitamin E on Semen Parameters and IVF Outcome: A Double‐Blinded Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background. Male infertility is a main clinical problem that affects about 7% of all men worldwide. Many patients with male infertility are caused by a reduced antioxidant capacity of semen. Several antioxidant supplements, especially vitamin E, are proposed to help male infertility treatment. This project was goaled to study the effects of oral synthetic vitamin E (400 IU/day) for eight weeks on betterment of semen parameters and pregnancy rate. Methods. After dropping the cases, 124 infertile couples with a male factor who were admitted to the IVF program were included. The male patients with idiopathic abnormal motility and/or morphology were randomized into two groups: 61 receiving vitamin E and 63 as the control group receiving placebo for eight weeks. The pretreatment semen parameters of both groups were compared with those of posttreatment. The pregnancy outcomes were considered between the two groups. Results. There were no significant differences statistically between before and after treatment in the term of sperm volume, count, motility, and morphology. Furthermore, the IVF outcomes of the two groups were not different significantly, either. Interestingly, the percent of normal sperm in the placebo group was significantly decreased after eight weeks. Conclusion. Vitamin E supplementation might neutralize free radical activity to keep sperm from more oxidative damages. Further studies regarding the influence of higher acceptable doses of vitamin E on semen characteristics and fertility rates are needed. This study was registered as a two-arm, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (IRCTID: IRCT2014020616506N1, 2014-03-18).

Positive Effect of a New Combination of Antioxidants and Natural Hormone Stimulants for the Treatment of Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

“…Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is an important lipid-soluble antioxidant molecule in the cell membrane. It is thought to interrupt lipid peroxidation and enhance the activity of various antioxidants that scavenge free radicals generated during the univalent reduction of molecular oxygen and during normal activity of oxidative enzymes [ 19 ]. The results of in vitro experiments suggest that vitamin E may protect spermatozoa from oxidative damage and loss of motility as well as enhance the sperm performance in the hamster egg penetration assay [ 20 ].…”

Effect of antioxidants on semen parameters in men with oligo‐astheno‐teratozoospermia: a network meta‐analysis

“…After removal of duplicates, 29,325 articles were obtained, of which 29,067 were excluded, because they were deemed not relevant based on title and/or abstract reading. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, a total of 258 articles were identified, of which 29 RCTs, involving 2,045 men (mean age: 33.5 years) with oligo, astheno‐ and/or teratozoospermia, met the inclusion criteria 35–63 . In particular, we excluded five trials by Safarinejad, 64–68 as the reliability of their results could not be guaranteed due to the large number of papers retracted by this author (http://retractiondatabase.org/RetractionSearch.aspx#?auth%3dSafarinejad).…”

“…All participants had at least one abnormality in standard semen parameters (oligo‐, astheno‐ and/or teratozoospermia). Sperm concentration was investigated in 15 RCTs, 35,38,40,41,44,45,47,49,50,53,54,58,61–63 total sperm motility in 21 RCTs, 35–37,39,41–44,47,49,50,52,53,55,57–61,63 sperm progressive motility in 14 RCTs, 35–40,42,45,46,48–51,54,56 and sperm morphology in 14 RCTs 35,38,40,44,46,47,49,50,54–56,58,61,63 …”

Antioxidant Green Factories: Toward Sustainable Production of Vitamin E in PlantIn VitroCultures

“…Studies have proven a positive impact on cognitive impairment diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy . Other dysfunctions, such as male and female infertility; osteoporosis; and lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, have had a promising positive impact from vitamin E supplementation in some clinical trials. There has also been evidence from physiological studies that it plays a beneficial role in preventing cancer. , In fact, studies have showcased that a Mediterranean diet has high proportions of vitamin E and C, which leads to lower incidences of cancer .…”