Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia: an open, uncontrolled pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To clarify a potential therapeutic role of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

DESIGN:

Open, uncontrolled pilot study.

PATIENT(S):

Infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

INTERVENTION(S):

CoQ(10) was administered orally; semen samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE (S): Semen kinetic parameters, including computer-assisted sperm data and CoQ(10) and phosphatidylcholine levels.

RESULT(S):

CoQ(10) levels increased significantly in seminal plasma and in sperm cells after treatment. Phosphatidylcholine levels also increased. A significant increase was also found in sperm cell motility as confirmed by computer-assisted analysis. A positive dependence (using the Cramer's index of association) was evident among the relative variations, baseline and after treatment, of seminal plasma or intracellular CoQ(10) content and computer-determined kinetic parameters.

CONCLUSION(S):

The exogenous administration of CoQ(10) may play a positive role in the treatment of asthenozoospermia. This is probably the result of its role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its antioxidant properties.

• Authors: Giancarlo Balercia, Fabrizio Mosca, Franco Mantero, Marco Boscaro, Antonio Mancini, Giuseppe Ricciardo-Lamonica, GianPaolo Littarru
• Journal: Fertility and sterility (Fertil Steril) Vol. 81 Issue 1 Pg. 93-8 (Jan 2004) ISSN: 0015-0282 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14711549 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Coenzymes
• Phosphatidylcholines
• Ubiquinone
• coenzyme Q10

Topics

• Adult
• Coenzymes
• Dietary Supplements
• Female
• Humans
• Infertility, Male (drug therapy)
• Male
• Oligospermia (drug therapy)
• Phosphatidylcholines (metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Rate
• Semen (drug effects, metabolism)
• Sperm Count
• Treatment Outcome
• Ubiquinone (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)