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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Apr;30(4):593-9.
doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-9961-9. Epub 2013 Feb 24.

Effects of supplement therapy on sperm parameters, protamine content and acrosomal integrity of varicocelectomized subjects

Gholamabbas Azizollahi  1 , Saeid Azizollahi, Homayoon Babaei, Mohammadali Kianinejad, Mohammad Reza Baneshi, Seyed Noureddin Nematollahi-mahani
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of supplement therapy on sperm parameters, protamine content and acrosomal integrity of varicocelectomized subjects

Gholamabbas Azizollahi et al. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: Surgical repair of varicocele has long been a procedure to correct spermatogenesis. However, the outcome has been reported to be inadequate. We combined varicocelectomy with supplement therapy to evaluate the concurrent effect of these procedures.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was undertaken to investigate the effects of zinc sulfate, folic acid and zinc sulfate/folic acid on sperm quality, protamine content and acrosomal integrity following surgical repair of varicocele. Male subjects with palpable varicocele were included in the study and randomized into four groups. Subjects received Zinc sulfate, Folic acid, Zinc sulfate/Folic acid or placebo for 6 months. A semen sample was obtained before surgery and 3 and 6 months after surgical repair. Semen samples were evaluated for sperm parameters as well as chromatin content and acrosomal integrity.

Results: Most of the evaluated parameters showed a mild improvement after varicocelectomy in the placebo group. Interestingly, co-administration of Zinc sulfate and folic acid improved most factors significantly. Folic acid administration but not zinc sulfate could increase sperm number. Hence, Zinc sulfate was better than folic acid when change in morphology was assessed, and none of them was significantly effective in sperm motility. In Zinc sulfate and Folic acid groups, protamine content and halo formation rate significantly improved.

Conclusions: We may conclude that co-administration of zinc and folic acid significantly improved sperm parameters and increased varicocelectomy outcomes. So, medical treatment with compatible drugs after surgery might be advantageous for obtaining acceptable results.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Sperm cells were stained by chromomycin A3 to evaluate protamine content of sperms. Arrows show CMA3 positive sperms and arrow heads show CMA3 negative sperms. b Sperms were layered on a thin film of gelatin to evaluate acrosomal integrity. Arrows show sperms with abnormal acrosomal activity and arrow heads show sperm with normal acrosomal activity resulting in a clear halo around sperm head
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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