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Efficacy of antioxidant therapy on sperm quality measurements after varicocelectomy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Wang Jipeng,
Wang Tianqi,
Ding Weifang,
Wu Jitao,
Wu Gang,
Wang Yongqiang,
Zhou Zhongbao,
Xu Ling,
Cui Yuanshan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/and.13396
Subject(s) - sperm , sperm motility , meta analysis , placebo , andrology , medicine , sperm quality , varicocele , antioxidant , randomized controlled trial , urology , infertility , biology , pregnancy , pathology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , genetics
Antioxidants were proved to be efficient to improve the quality of spermatozoa after varicocelectomy. We carried out a systematic review and performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant therapy in sperm parameters' quality after varicocelectomy during 3 or 6 months' treatment cycle. During research, randomised controlled trials were searched by MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and necessary parameters were compared between two groups after varicocelectomy. Finally, six studies including 576 patients were included in our meta‐analysis. As for sperm parameters, significant improvements of sperm concentration ( p < .0001), sperm motility ( p = .03), progressive sperm motility ( p < .00001) and sperm morphology ( p < .00001) were existed in antioxidant group 3 months after varicocelectomy. With regard to the 6 months' outcomes, sperm parameters were improved as well except sperm motility ( p = .72) and progressive sperm motility ( p = .57). Referring to pregnancy rate, no significant difference was existed between two groups ( p = .36), and the FSH level of antioxidant group was lower than placebo group 3 or 6 months after varicocelectomy (3 months, p = .02; 6 months, p = .03). In conclusion, compared with the placebo, the antioxidant therapy after varicocelectomy can improve the quality of sperm parameters and construct a favourable living condition for spermatozoa by reducing FSH level.