The association of a probiotic with a prebiotic (Flortec, Bracco) to improve the quality/quantity of spermatozoa in infertile patients with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia: a pilot study

Abstract

The hypothesis that the assumption of a probiotic associated with a prebiotic (Flortec, Bracco; one sachet contains: Lactobacillus paracasei B21060 5 × 10 cells + arabinogalctan 1243 mg + oligo-fructosaccharides 700 mg + l-glutamine 500 mg) could improve the quality and quantity of spermatozoa in idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (iAOT) patients to a larger extent than a control substance (starch) was tested. Forty-one patients with no chromosomal aberrations were randomized into two groups: 20 received Flortec, one sachet per day for 6 months, whereas 21 received the control substance. The following data were collected: clinical history, scrotal Doppler scans, Y microdeletion, karyotype and cystic fibrosis screens, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and prolactin (PRL) levels, and two semen analyses. Both the Flortec and the starch groups underwent two semen analyses and one FSH, LH, T, E2, and PRL measurement in the blood, at the beginning of the study, and after 6 months. The comparisons were carried out using a non-parametric (Wilcoxon signed rank) test. The side effects were assessed and compared using the chi-squared test. Group 1 (Flortec) had their sperm count improved: volume of the ejaculate (median from 2.4 to 3.1 mL; p < 0.01), sperm concentration (median: from 15.2 × 10 /mL to 28.3 × 10 /39 mL; p < 0.01), progressive motility (median: from 16.2 to 42.0%; p < 0.01), and the percentage of typical forms (median: from 7 to 16.3%; p < 0.01); in addition, their FSH, LH, and T levels improved (p < 0.01), while those of E2 and PRL did not. Group 2 (control substance) had no modification in 42 of the parameters studied. There were no side effects in either group. These data showed that Flortec constitutes a safe therapy for improving the volume of the ejaculate and the quality/quantity of spermatozoa in iOAT patients.

The clinical usefulness of a novel grading system for varicocoeles using duplex Doppler ultrasound examination based on postsurgical modifications of seminal parameters

“…The hormonal assessments were carried out in three different laboratories (Bologna, Varese, and Paderno Dugnano) using identical methodology and reference values (rv). The methodology has been described elsewhere (Maretti & Cavallini, ). The FSH rv were 1.5–12.4 mIU/mL; the LH rv were 1.0–10.0 mIU/mL; the T rv were 11–36 nmol/L, and the PRL rv were 80–400 mIU/L.…”

Microbiota and Human Reproduction: The Case of Male Infertility

“…Plummer et al have demonstrated that antimicrobial drugs in the male partners of women with bacterial vaginosis were able to exert beneficial effects reducing disease recurrence [42]. In addition, prebiotics supplementation has shown the ability to ameliorate some semen parameters in both animal models and humans [59][60][61][62]. Dardmeh et al found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 (DSM 14870) supplementation was able to improve sperm kinematic parameters in mice [59].…”

“…In humans, Valcarce et al assessed that a 6-week supplementation with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium improved sperm motility and reduced the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation in asthenozoospermic males [61]. Maretti et al verified that the daily administration of Lactobacillus paracasei, arabinogalactan, fructo-oligosaccharides, and l-glutamine over a period of 6 months ameliorated sperm count and motility, and reduced the rate of atypical forms, in comparison to the placebo-receiving group [62]. These evidences, if confirmed by larger studies, may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies for fertility issues.…”

Probiotics, Non-Dairy Prebiotics and Postbiotics in Nutrition

“…Prebiotics and probiotics could also be helpful in men during reproduction. Half-year treatment with orally delivered synbiotic composition of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and arabinogalactan, FOS and L-glutamine increases the volume of the ejaculate and the quality/quantity of spermatozoa in patients suffering from idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia [59]. Likely, such an effect could also be seen in healthy men.…”