The impact of two doses of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

Abstract

Objective: Oxidative stress contributes to male infertility, and antioxidants have been recommended for treating idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). There is, however, a lack of agreement on the type, dosing, and use of individual antioxidants or combinations thereof. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two doses of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic OAT. Methods: In this prospective study, patients with idiopathic OAT received 200 mg/day (n = 35) or 400 mg/day (n = 30) of CoQ10 orally for 3 months. All patients underwent semen analysis according to the fifth editions of the World Health Organization criteria. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured both before and after treatment. Results: Treatment with CoQ10 (200 mg/day or 400 mg/day) resulted in a significant increase in sperm concentration from baseline (8.22 ±6.88 to 12.53 ±8.11 million/mL, p =0.019; 7.58 ±5.41 to 12.33 ±6.1 million/mL, p =0.002, respectively), progressive motility (16.54% ±9.26% to 22.58% ±10.15%, p =0.011; 14.22% ±12.85% to 26.1% ±14.52%, p =0.001, respectively), and total motility (25.68% ± 6.41% to 29.96% ± 8.09%, p = 0.016; 23.46% ± 12.59% to 34.82% ± 14.17%, p = 0.001, respectively). CoQ10 therapy also increased TAC (p= 0.009, p= 0.001, respectively), SOD activity (p= 0.004, p= 0.001, respectively), and CAT activity (p= 0.039, p= 0.024, respectively). Furthermore, antioxidant measures correlated significantly with seminal fluid parameters (r = 0.36-0.76). Conclusion: CoQ10 supplementation improved semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic OAT, with a greater improvement shown in men who took 400 mg/day than in those who took 200 mg/day.

Coenzyme Q10 effect on semen parameters: Profound or meagre?

“…Among the studies included in this meta‐analysis, Safarinejad (2009) used the highest dose (300 mg) for the longest duration (26 weeks), which incidentally also showed the most significant improvement in most of the parameters. Recent investigations suggested that a higher daily dose of CoQ10 (400–600 mg) gives better results in comparison with 200 mg dose (Alahmar, 2019). Furthermore, it is seen that the noticeable improvement is seen after a minimum of 3 months of treatment (Alahmar, 2019).…”

“…Recent investigations suggested that a higher daily dose of CoQ10 (400–600 mg) gives better results in comparison with 200 mg dose (Alahmar, 2019). Furthermore, it is seen that the noticeable improvement is seen after a minimum of 3 months of treatment (Alahmar, 2019). Nevertheless, treatment beyond 6 months does not show further improvement (Alahmar, 2019; Safarinejad, 2009).…”

“…Furthermore, it is seen that the noticeable improvement is seen after a minimum of 3 months of treatment (Alahmar, 2019). Nevertheless, treatment beyond 6 months does not show further improvement (Alahmar, 2019; Safarinejad, 2009). The latter is important as some recent studies have shown that extreme consumption of antioxidants can change the oxidation–reduction equilibrium to reductive stress, which is as damaging as oxidative stress (Henkel, Sandhu, & Agarwal, 2019).…”

“…Higher ROS concentrations may damage plasma membrane, proteins and sperm DNA, imposing that suitable antioxidant capacity is critical to ensure male fertility (Darbandi et al, 2018). Previous studies on CoQ10 have established its antioxidant capacity, which improves total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity (Alahmar, 2019; Balercia et al, 2009; Safarinejad, 2009). The effect of CoQ10 in improving mitochondrial function and sperm motility may be explained by improvement in the antioxidant capacity, which prevents the loss of cell integrity.…”

Oxidative Stress and Reproductive Function in the Aging Male

“…Its reduced form, ubiquinol, is an antioxidant that protects sperm plasma membrane from lipid peroxidation [ 109 ]. In a prospective study, it was shown that treatment of CoQ10 increases sperm concentration, progressive and total sperm motility, antioxidant capacity, and SOD and CAT activity in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) [ 110 ]. At a higher dose, both semen parameters and antioxidant status were further increased, suggesting that CoQ10 may be beneficial in treating idiopathic OAT [ 110 ].…”