Assessment of influence of “BESTFertil” supplement on semen analysis parameters, oxidative stress markers and sperm DNA fragmentation index in infertile males

Abstract

Background. Idiopathic male infertility remains an important problem in andrology and reproduction, despite steady advances in diagnostics and treatment of conditions associated with impaired fertility in men. Only available option of conservative treatment for idiopathic male infertility is an empiric antioxidant therapy. Materials and methods. Fifty five men from infertile couples without any identifiable cause of male infertility who received “BESTFertil” supplement were enrolled in this study. Semen analysis parameters (sperm density, percentage of sperm with progressive motility (categories A and B), sperm morphology, leukocyte concentration), MAR-test results, reactive oxygen species concentration as measured by chemiluminescence assay and sperm DNA fragmentation index evaluated using TUNEL method were registered and compared with baseline values after 90 days of treatment. Patient compliance was assessed by a number of capsules taken throughout the study period. Results. There was a significant difference in percentage of sperm with normal morphological features (median 2 % vs 4 %; p <0.001) and in percentage of A + B motile sperm (medium 31.2 % vs 41.15 %; p <0.001). Also, a statistically significant decrease in sperm DNA fragmentation index (median 17.8 % vs 15 %; p <0.001) and reactive oxygen species concentration in seminal plasma (median 0.7 mV/s vs 0.5 mV/s; p = 0.002). Forty-three (78.2 %) patients were fully compliant, 11 (20 %) patients had compliance over 90 %, and 1 patient was 89 % compliant. No treatment-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion. “BESTFertil”supplement may be used in empiric therapy of idiopathic male infertility and has a good safety profile. Separate intake of morning and evening supplement doses increases efficacy of multicomponent antioxidant therapy by preventing possible interaction between biochemically incompatible components. Treatment with “BESTFertil”supplement leads to a decrease in reactive oxygen species seminal concentration and sperm DNA fragmentation index.