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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Apr;199(4):1246-1252.
doi: 10.1007/s12011-020-02251-3. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Impact of Coenzyme Q10 and Selenium on Seminal Fluid Parameters and Antioxidant Status in Men with Idiopathic Infertility

Ahmed T Alahmar  1 , Pallav Sengupta  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Impact of Coenzyme Q10 and Selenium on Seminal Fluid Parameters and Antioxidant Status in Men with Idiopathic Infertility

Ahmed T Alahmar et al. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS) is a key contributing factor in 30-80% of male infertility cases. To date, several antioxidant treatments have been put forth to manage OS-induced male infertility. This study intended to elucidate the impact of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and selenium on seminal fluid parameters and antioxidant status in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (OAT). In this prospective study, 70 patients with idiopathic OAT were randomly allocated to receive CoQ10 (200 mg/day) or selenium (200 μg/day) for 3 months. Semen quality parameters (following WHO guidelines, 5th edition), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were compared before and after the treatment. The results of the study showed an increase in sperm concentration with CoQ10 treatment (p < 0.01) as well as increased progressive sperm motility (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) and total sperm motility (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) with CoQ10 and selenium treatment respectively. There was also a significant improvement in TAC (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) and SOD (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) following treatment with CoQ10 and selenium respectively while CAT improved only with CoQ10 therapy (p < 0.05). Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology also correlated significantly with TAC, SOD, and CAT (r = 0.37-0.76). In conclusion, treatment with CoQ10 (200 mg) or selenium (200 μg) could improve sperm concentration, motility, and antioxidant status in infertile men with idiopathic OAT with CoQ10 providing the higher improvement.

Keywords: Antioxidants; CoQ10; Selenium; Semen.

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