Moderate aerobic exercise training for improving reproductive function in infertile patients: A randomized controlled
Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki1, Bakhtyar Tartibian2
1Department of Sports Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
Cytokine
|January 17, 2017
Summary
Moderate aerobic exercise improved male infertility by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress markers in semen. This led to better sperm quality and increased pregnancy rates, with benefits persisting after exercise cessation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Male Infertility Research
Background:
- Male infertility affects a significant portion of couples seeking fertility treatment.
- Inflammation and oxidative stress are recognized contributors to male factor infertility.
- Lifestyle interventions like exercise are being explored as complementary treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a 24-week moderate aerobic exercise program on seminal markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in infertile men.
- To assess the impact of exercise on semen parameters, sperm DNA integrity, and pregnancy rates.
- To determine if exercise-induced benefits persist after a detraining period.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 419 sedentary infertile men (aged 25-40 years).
- Participants were assigned to either an exercise (EX) group (moderate aerobic exercise for 24 weeks) or a non-exercise (NON-EX) control group.
- Seminal markers, semen parameters, sperm DNA integrity, and pregnancy rates were assessed.
Main Results:
- Exercise training significantly reduced seminal inflammation markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) and oxidative stress markers (ROS, MDA, 8-Isoprostane).
- The exercise group showed enhanced antioxidant defense (SOD, catalase, TAC).
- Improvements in semen parameters, sperm DNA integrity, and pregnancy rates were observed in the exercise group (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Moderate aerobic exercise is an effective treatment option for male factor infertility.
- Exercise favorably modulates seminal inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to improved reproductive outcomes.
- The benefits of exercise intervention were largely maintained even after a 4-week detraining period.
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