Body mass index and age correlate with antioxidant supplementation effects on sperm quality: Post hoc analyses from a double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial

Abstract

Spermatozoa are vulnerable to lack of energy and oxidative stress as a result of elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it is essential that appropriate nutrients are available during maturation. This randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial investigated the effect of 6‐month supplementation with carnitines and other micronutrients on sperm quality in 104 subjects with oligo‐ and/or astheno‐ and/or teratozoospermia with or without varicocele. Semen analyses were done at the beginning and end of the treatment. In addition to main analyses, post hoc analyses for age and body mass index (BMI) were carried out. Results were interpreted by dividing the population into two age and BMI classes. In 94 patients who completed the study, all sperm parameters increased in supplemented patients compared to the placebo group. A significant (p = .0272) difference in supplementation efficacy was observed for total motility on patients with varicocele and BMI < 25. In the same group, also the progressive motility was significantly superior (p = .0159). For Responder analysis, total motility results were confirmed in both the cited group (p = .0066) and in the varicocele group with BMI < 25 and age < 35 (p = .0078). This study suggests that supplementation is more effective in subjects with varicocele younger than 35 years with BMI < 25.

Clinical correlation among male infertility and overall male health: A systematic review of the literature

“…Factors such as smoking, increased body mass index (BMI), alcohol and/or drugs abuse, psychological stress have been associated with increased incidence of chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction, obesity, hematologic disorders, chronic kidney failure, liver disfunctions and in general with impaired HOMA indices [ 51 52 53 ]. Moreover, these identical factors have been implicated in the development of male infertility and decreased semen parameters [ 54 55 56 ].…”

Influence of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Antioxidant Status and Semen Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study in Adult Men

“…The defense system, against ROS in male reproductive cells includes antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic substances like vitamin C, A, β-carotene, folate, and polyphenols, present among others in fruit and vegetables (6,12,13). Many studies confirm the beneficial effect of specific antioxidant nutrients on improving the male reproductive system's antioxidant status, sperm quality, and support in treating idiopathic infertility (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Also, the dietary fiber present in fruit and vegetables may reduce oxidative stress by participating in the assimilation of polyphenols and carotenoids in the intestine and modulating the immune system's response by having a positive impact on the gut microbiome (20,21).…”

Utility of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Male Infertility: Clinical Guidelines Based on a Systematic Review and Analysis of Evidence

“…A total of 21 articles published between January 2019 and July 2020 investigated the effects of antioxidant treatment on semen quality ( Table 4 ) [ 25 42 43 44 45 46 56 57 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 104 115 121 ]. Based on our analysis, 13 and 8 studies were ranked as low and high-quality, respectively.…”

“…(MedCalc Software bv, Ostend, Belgium). Chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between the quality of the study and the outcomes (positive or no/negative effect) due to antioxidant treatment on semen parameters and sperm function such as oxidative stress and SDF are presented in Table 2 [ 25 26 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 …”