[Antioxidants and male subfertility--a survey of a Cochrane review]

Abstract

In a Cochrane review the authors suggest that treatment with antioxidant supplementation in subfertile men may improve the outcome of live birth and pregnancy rate for infertile couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology cycles. We disagree as publication bias cannot be excluded and most studies were designed to investigate the effects of antioxidant treatment on semen quality. In addition, the men were treated with many different combinations and doses of antioxidants and it is not possible to recommend infertile men on type and dose of antioxidant. Future studies should be large, randomized placebo-controlled trials.