Treatment of asthenozoospermia with zinc sulphate: andrological, immunological and obstetric outcome

Omu, Alexander E.; Dashti, H.; Al-Othman, S.

doi:10.1016/s0301-2115(97)00262-5

Cited by 127 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…31,67 In four of the studies showing increased pregnancy rates, there was an improvement in at least one sperm parameter and improved motility was observed in all parameters. 36,65,66,69 An improved fertility rate was observed after the addition of antioxidants, most notably vitamins A and E and carnitine; in men with low selenium status, the addition of selenium increased the pregnancy rate in their partners.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, only a few of the studies in this review evaluated this outcome, and no definitive answers have yet emerged from these trials. Fifteen in vivo studies 31,36,41,47,50,51,[62][63][64][65][66][67]69,76,82 included pregnancy rate among the end points measured; in two of these studies, a higher pregnancy rate was achieved, but was not statistically significant. 47,76 In another two studies, the pregnancy rate was lower in the antioxidant-treated group than in the control group, although the comparison was against clomiphene citrate or mesterolone rather than placebo.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Omu et al 45,69 have published two studies in which ZnSO 4 was used: in the first, 500 mg day 21 of ZnSO 4 was administered to 100 asthenozoospermic men for 3 months, and a significant improvement was observed in sperm count, motility and membrane integrity. 69 The second study, published 10 years later, used a combination of drugs and is discussed above.…”

Section: Zincmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…69 The second study, published 10 years later, used a combination of drugs and is discussed above. 45 Wong et al 70 observed an increased sperm count and improved semen concentration in a controlled trial with 103 infertile and 107 fertile men who had taken 5 mg folic acid and 66 mg ZnSO 4 per day for 6 months, either alone or in combination; however, it should be noted that the fertile men did not achieve significant improvements in any of the parameters, most notably concentration.…”

Section: Zincmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility: an overview

Lombardo¹,

Sansone²,

Romanelli³

et al. 2011

Asian J Androl

100

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In recent years, many studies have focused on the effect of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants on the male eproductive system. Under physiological conditions, sperm produces small amounts of ROS, which are needed for fertilisation, acrosome reaction and capacitation. However, if an increased production of ROS is not associated with a similar increase in scavenging systems, peroxidative damage of the sperm plasma membrane and loss of DNA integrity typically occur, which leads to cell death and reduced fertility. Furthermore, since there is no linear correlation between sperm quality and pregnancy rates, an improvement in semen parameters should not be the sole outcome considered in studies of antioxidant therapies. A definitive conclusion regarding the benefit of these therapies is difficult to obtain, as most of the previous studies lacked control groups, considered different antioxidants in different combinations and doses, or did not evaluate pregnancy rates in previously infertile couples. Even if beneficial effects were reported in a few cases of male infertility, more multicentre, double-blind studies performed with the same criteria are necessary for an increased understanding of the effects of various antioxidants on fertility.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Zincmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Zincmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility: an overview

Lombardo¹,

Sansone²,

Romanelli³

et al. 2011

Asian J Androl

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…56 Five RCTs evaluated the effects of zinc alone or in combination with folic acid and all five reported a significant improvement in sperm parameters in the treatment arm only. 47,[50][51][52][53][54][55] Three RCTs evaluated the effects of selenium alone or in combination with N-acetyl cysteine and two of the three studies reported a significant improvement in sperm parameters in the treatment arm only. 43,48,54 Four RCTs evaluated the effects of L-carnitine alone or in combination with L-acetyl carnitine and three of the four reported a significant improvement in sperm parameters in the treatment arm only.…”

Section: Relationship Between Oxidative Stress and Sperm Dysfunctionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antioxidant therapy in male infertility: fact or fiction?

Zini¹,

Alhathal²

2011

Asian J Androl

111

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Infertile men have higher levels of semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) than do fertile men. High levels of semen ROS can cause sperm dysfunction, sperm DNA damage and reduced male reproductive potential. This observation has led clinicians to treat infertile men with antioxidant supplements. The purpose of this article is to discuss the rationale for antioxidant therapy in infertile men and to evaluate the data on the efficacy of dietary and in vitro antioxidant preparations on sperm function and DNA damage. To date, most clinical studies suggest that dietary antioxidant supplements are beneficial in terms of improving sperm function and DNA integrity. However, the exact mechanism of action of dietary antioxidants and the optimal dietary supplement have not been established. Moreover, most of the clinical studies are small and few have evaluated pregnancy rates. A beneficial effect of in vitro antioxidant supplements in protecting spermatozoa from exogenous oxidants has been demonstrated in most studies; however, the effect of these antioxidants in protecting sperm from endogenous ROS, gentle sperm processing and cryopreservation has not been established conclusively. Keywords: antioxidant; male infertility; oxidative stress; sperm DNA fragmentation; vitamins RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OXIDATIVE STRESS AND SPERM DYSFUNCTION Seminal oxidative stress (OS) results from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ROS scavenging by seminal antioxidants. Seminal OS is believed to be one of the main factors in the pathogenesis of sperm dysfunction and sperm DNA damage in male infertility.1-4 Indeed, it is estimated that 25% of infertile men possess high levels of semen ROS, whereas fertile men do not have high levels of semen ROS.1,4-6 Although a controlled production of these ROS is required for sperm physiology (sperm hyperactivation, capacitation and acrosome reaction) and for natural fertilization, [7][8][9] the excessive production of ROS by immature germ cells and leukocytes causes sperm dysfunction (lipid peroxidation, loss of motility and sperm DNA damage). 9,10 Spermatozoa are particularly susceptible to oxidative injury due to the abundance of plasma membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids. [10][11][12] These unsaturated fatty acids provide fluidity that is necessary for membrane fusion events (e.g., the acrosome reaction and sperm-egg interaction) and for sperm motility. However, the unsaturated nature of these molecules predisposes them to free radical attack and ongoing lipid peroxidation throughout the sperm plasma membrane. Once this process has been initiated, accumulation of lipid peroxides occurs on the sperm surface (this results in loss of sperm motility) and oxidative damage to DNA can ensue. 13,14SEMINAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND SPERM DYSFUNCTION Seminal plasma and spermatozoa themselves are well endowed with an array of protective antioxidants to protect spermatozoa from OS, especially, at the post-testicular level. 6,15,16 Seminal plasma contains a number of high-molecular weigh...

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