Myoinositol improves sperm parameters and serum reproductive hormones in patients with idiopathic infertility: a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study

Abstract

SUMMARYMale infertility is a multifactorial disorder that affects a significant percentage of couples. Its etiology and pathogenesis remain elusive in about one-third of the cases; this is referred to as idiopathic infertility. Inositols mediate the sperm processes involved into oocyte fertilization, such as penetration of the ovum cumulus oophorus, binding with the zona pellucida and the acrosome reaction. The aim of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of myoinositol (the most abundant form of inositols present in nature) treatment in men with idiopathic infertility. To accomplish this, we evaluated the effects of myoinositol on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones at baseline and after 3 months of treatment in men with idiopathic infertility. No adverse reaction was observed. Myoinositol significantly increased the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, sperm concentration, and total count and progressive motility compared to placebo. In addition, myoinositol rebalanced serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and inhibin B concentrations. The clinical improvement of idiopathic infertile patients should encourage myoinositol use for the treatment of this disorder, even though its detailed mechanisms at the testicular level remain still unclear.

Implication of transcriptome profiling of spermatozoa for stallion fertility

“…The increase in progressive motility of spermatozoa was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, inositols have been reported to affect different processes involved in oocyte fertilisation, which improve the penetration of the ovum cumulus oophorus, binding with the zona pellucida and the acrosome reaction (Calogero et al 2015). Furthermore, high concentrations of myoinositol have been found in the fluid of the seminiferous tubule in many mammals (Setchell et al 1968;Hinton et al 1980;Chauvin and Griswold 2004).…”

Conservative Nonhormonal Options for the Treatment of Male Infertility: Antibiotics, Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Antioxidants

“…On this basis, the therapeutic use of MYO has been suggested in both in vivo and in vitro assisted reproductive techniques. Accordingly, oral supplementation with MYO seems to improve sperm parameters [146, 148, 149]. In particular, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that patients with idiopathic infertility, treated for three months with MYO (2 g twice daily), had a significant increase of sperm concentration, total count, progressive motility, and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa.…”

“…In particular, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that patients with idiopathic infertility, treated for three months with MYO (2 g twice daily), had a significant increase of sperm concentration, total count, progressive motility, and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. In addition, MYO rebalances LH, FSH, and inhibin-B concentrations [148]. …”

Role of Antioxidants in the Treatment of Male Infertility

“…In particular, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that patients with idiopathic infertility, treated for three months with MYO (2g twice daily), had a significant increase of sperm concentration, total count, progressive motility, and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. In addition, MYO rebalances LH, FSH, and inhibin-B concentrations [73].…”