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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Comparison of the effect of a combination of eight micronutrients versus a standard mono preparation on sperm parameters

Authors: Markus Lipovac, Florian Bodner, Martin Imhof, Peter Chedraui

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

There are reports showing that l-carnitine alone or in combination with other micronutrients improve sperm parameters. However, comparative studies are still lacking. This study was carried out to compare the short term effects of a combination of eight micronutrients including l-carnitine vs. a mono-substance (l-carnitine alone) on sperm parameters.

Methods

This was a prospective, open-labelled, nonrandomized study that included male subjects (20 to 60 years) with at least 1 year of subfertility and at least one pathological semen analysis who received 3 months treatment with a mono-substance (500 mg l-carnitine/twice a day, n = 156) or a combined compound (440 mg l-carnitine + 250 mg l-arginine + 40 mg zinc + 120 mg vitamin E + 80 mg glutathione + 60 μg selenium + 15 mg coenzyme Q10 + 800 μg folic acid/once a day, n = 143) for the same time period. Sperm parameters were analyzed before and after treatment and groups comparisons performed.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar among studied groups (age and body mass indices). Semen parameters (volume, density, overall progressive motility [including slow and fast motility]) and percentage of sperm with normal morphology improved after 3 months in both groups as compared to baseline. However, relative change (expressed as % increase of absolute values) for sperm density and overall progressive motility (including fast motility) was found to be higher for the combined micronutrient treatment group as compared to the mono-treatment using l-carnitine alone.

Conclusion

Both analyzed groups displayed a positive short term effect on all sperm parameters; however effect on density and motility was significantly better for the combined formulation. There is need for more research in this matter that includes long term outcome data.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered at ISRCTN (7th October 2016). Study ID: ISRCTN48594239
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of the effect of a combination of eight micronutrients versus a standard mono preparation on sperm parameters
Authors
Markus Lipovac
Florian Bodner
Martin Imhof
Peter Chedraui
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-016-0219-0

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