Effects of antioxidant co‐supplementation therapy on spermatogenesis dysfunction in relation to the basal oxidation–reduction potential levels in spermatozoa: A pilot study

PURPOSE: In this pilot study, the authors compared the effects of antioxidant co‐supplementation therapy and methylcobalamin therapy in patients with impaired semen quality. METHODS: Eighty‐four subjects who visited male infertility clinics and showed abnormal semen test results were randomly subjected to one of the two therapies: antioxidant co‐supplementation therapy with vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and flaxseed oil or methylcobalamin therapy. The oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine levels were used as indicators of oxidative stress levels in semen. Semen analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The authors obtained results from 67 patients who had completed 3 months of treatment. Neither antioxidant co‐supplementation therapy nor methylcobalamin therapy changed the semen parameters significantly (except for the sperm concentration, which was increased by the latter therapy). When the pre‐treatment ORP value in semen was higher than the cutoff value, both therapies significantly increased the sperm concentration. The 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine level did not yield any meaningful predictive value with regard to increased sperm concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Both antioxidant co‐supplementation therapy and methylcobalamin therapy increased the sperm concentration in patients with impaired semen quality when the basal ORP levels in their semen were elevated.