Johannes Wogatzky 1*, Dietmar Spitzer2 , Maximilian Schuff1 , Birgit Schechinger1 and Nicolas H. Zech1
1 IVF Centers Prof. Zech-Bregenz, Austria
2 IVF Centers Prof. Zech-Salzburg, Austria,
IVF Centers Prof Zech-Bregenz, Roemerstrasse 2, 6900 Bregenz, Austria, Pub date: Sep 22, 2014
Wogatzky et al., Journal Andrology & Gynecology: Current Research 2014, 2:4
Abstract
In recent years, oxidative stress (OS) has been identified as important factor in male infertility. Thus, the intake of antioxidants to improve semen quality (in subfertile men) has been widely discussed. Improvements of semen quality after supplementation have been reported. However, this issue is still underevaluated. Critics complain a lack of data regarding firstly the use of antioxidants due to the heterogeneity between patient groups, nutritional supplements and treatment effect and secondly rare data in regard to the impact of supplementation on assisted reproduction technique (ART) outcome. In this study the effect of an antioxidant supplementation (AOS) on semen quality and therapy outcome of 92 couples undergoing fertility treatment was assessed. Semen analysis was performed during a first treatment cycle and data regarding treatment outcome were recorded. These were compared to a second treatment cycle of the same couples, prior to which the male partners had received AOS (Fertilovit® Mplus for 3 – 6 months). Semen samples were assessed according to WHO and MSOME (motile sperm organelle morphology examination) criteria. Parameters chosen for evaluation of treatment outcome were fertilization-, (top-)blastocyst rate, pregnancy- and clinical pregnancy rate. After AOS, we found a slight improvement of semen quality according to WHO – and a significant improvement according to MSOME criteria (p< 0.01). Even though – naturally – the age of the female partner had increased, we observed a rise of blastocyst rate after AOS. Top-blastocyst rate even improved significantly (p< 0.05). In addition to this, pregnancy- and clinical pregnancy rate showed a marked improvement. In summary, the use of a concomitant AOS might be discussed not only for men with impaired semen quality, but also for men with normozoospermia undergoing ART as it may contribute to improved semen parameters and an increased success of the treatment.