Antioxidant supplements and semen parameters: An evidence based review

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Nutritional Science
• Andrology

Background:

• Male infertility affects a significant portion of couples seeking conception.
• Oxidative stress and reduced seminal antioxidant capacity are implicated in 30-80% of male infertility cases.
• Limited research exists on the specific impact of nutritional interventions on semen quality.

Approach:

• Systematic literature review of studies on oral antioxidant supplements for male infertility.
• Searched PubMed and Google Scholar using terms related to antioxidants, multivitamins, specific supplements (CoQ10, vitamins C & E, carnitine, etc.), and male infertility parameters.
• Analyzed data on sperm concentration, motility, morphology, DNA damage, and fertility rates.

Key Points:

• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) significantly improve sperm concentration.
• Carnitine supplementation positively impacts sperm motility and morphology.
• Combined administration of vitamin C and vitamin E effectively reduces sperm DNA damage.

Conclusions:

• Antioxidant supplementation generally improves key semen parameters, including sperm number, motility, and morphology.
• Specific combinations, such as vitamins C, E, and CoQ10, show particular efficacy in enhancing semen quality.
• Further research may refine optimal antioxidant protocols for male infertility management.