Open AccessSperm quality improvement after natural anti‐oxidant treatment of asthenoteratospermic men with leukocytospermia
Author(s) -
Piomboni Paola,
Gambera Laura,
Serafini Francesca,
Campanella Giovanna,
Morgante Giuseppe,
De Leo Vincenzo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
asian journal of andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1745-7262
pISSN - 1008-682X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2008.00356.x
Subject(s) - sperm , acridine orange , andrology , sterility , semen , sperm motility , immune system , biology , chemistry , immunology , medicine , biochemistry , apoptosis , botany
Aim: To study the immune‐modulating and anti‐oxidant effects of beta‐glucan, papaya, lactoferrin, and vitamins C and E on sperm characteristics of patients with asthenoteratozoospermia associated with leucocytosis. Methods: Fifty‐one patients referred to our Sterility Center for semen analysis were selected. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after patient's treatment with beta‐glucan, lactoferrin, papaya, and vitamins C and E. DNA damage was assessed by the acridine orange test and sperm structural characteristics were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Results: After 90 days of treatment, an increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (17.0 ± 5.2 vs. 29.8 ± 6.5) and total progressive motility (19.0 ± 7.8 vs. 34.8 ± 6.8) were detected. Structural sperm characteristics as well as chromatin integrity were also improved after treatment. In terms of leukocyte concentration in seminal fluid, a significant reduction was recorded (2.2 ± 0.9 vs. 0.9 ± 0.2). Conclusion: The treatment of an inflammatory process by the synergic action of immune modulators and anti‐oxidants could protect sperm during maturation and migration, leading to improved sperm function.