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. 2013 Mar;18(3):184-7.

Effect of sesame on sperm quality of infertile men

Behnaz Khani  1 , Soroor Rabbani Bidgoli, Fariborz Moattar, Hassan Hassani
Affiliations

Effect of sesame on sperm quality of infertile men

Behnaz Khani et al. J Res Med Sci. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

Background: High level of semen reactive oxygen species is considered as an important factor in male infertility. Sesame has antioxidant properties, which could be effective on improvement of semen parameters. This study was designed to determine the effects of sesame on sperm quality.

Materials and methods: Twenty-five infertile men entered this clinical trial. They were treated with a 3-months course of taking 0.5 mg/kg sesame. The pre intervention sperm analysis (sperm count, motile sperm percentage and normal morphology sperm percentage) was compared with post treatment sperm analysis. Based on the post intervention seamen analysis, patients were advised to undergo either IVF or ICSI to assess their fertility status.

Results: There was significant improvement in the sperm count (10.56 ± 5.25 vs. 22.71 ± 30.14 million per ml) and motility (15.32 ± 13.58 vs. 23.32 ± 20.61 percent) after treatment with sesame (P value: 0.04 and <0.0001 respectively), but there was no significant improvement in sperm morphology after the treatment (10.72 ± 6.66 vs. 13.20 ± 11.14 percent, P value: 0.10). Three patients (12%) underwent IUI, which resulted in 1 successful pregnancy. Two patients (8%) underwent ICSI, which was not successful; however 2 (8%) patients had spontaneous pregnancy. Fortunately, all pregnancies led to live birth. Except 1 case of diarrhea, no other major side effect was reported.

Conclusion: Sesame improved sperm count and motility, and can be prescribed as an effective and safe method for male factor infertility.

Keywords: Male infertility; infertility; semen quality; sesame.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

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Figure 1
Consort diagram of participant flow
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