Effect of antioxidant supplements on sperm parameters in infertile male smokers: a single-blinded clinical trial

Introduction: Naturally, in human body, there is a balance between free radicals and the antioxidant system. Yet, cigarette consumption in smokers increases free radicals and decreases antioxidants. A vast body of research showed that the ROS level of seminal fluid is reduced using oral antioxidant complements through enhancing the clearing capacity of free radicals. Thus, the present research aimed to explore the effect of vitamin complement consumption on changing male infertility indices among smokers.

Methods: In the present randomized clinical trial which was single-blinded, 50 infertile oligospermic and asthenospermic men participated. They were selected in a randomized convenient sampling method. Before the study began, a semen sample was taken from all participants for analysis. Subsequently, the patients received 30 mg of Q10 coenzyme, 8 mg of zinc, 100 mg of vitamin C, 12 mg of vitamin E, 400 mg of folic acid for a whole duration of 3 months on a daily basis (once a day) and 200 mg of selenium every other day after lunch. A second sample of seminal fluid was taken from patients and semen parameters were compared between the pre- and post-test. The relevant statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS.23.

Results: A comparison of pre-test and post-test results revealed that all sperm parameters including the volume, morphology, motion, count and progressive motility were significantly increased after the intervention (p ≥ 005). Moreover, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the pH and concentration of seminal fluid.

Conclusion: The present research showed that consuming vitamin complements (30 mg of Q10, mg of zinc, 100 mg of vitamin C, 12 mg of vitamin E, 400 mg of folic acid) once a day as well as 200 mg of selenium every other day can effectively improve the qualitative parameters (pH and concentration) and quantitative parameters (volume, motion, morphology, count and progressive motility) in infertile male smokers.