Oral antioxidants mitigate levels of malonedialdehyde and protein carbonyl and improve semen parameters in men with oligoasthenozoospermia

Abstract

Raising awareness about treating options in North Macedonia, while sperm parameters are decreasing because of increased oxidative stress, in a terrain like this, represents a big challenge.

All the patients that fulfilled the required criteria, 37 were enrolled in the study signing a document that explains nature of the study. The first semen sample was collected with at least three days of abstinence. From the sample 0.5 ml was used for standard semen analysis, 1.2 ml was used to evaluate the levels of malonedialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC). The last sample was collected after 6 months. Mean, Standard Deviation, the Pearson Correlation and an independent student t-test were used for statistical analyses.

Concentration and motility were significantly increased after 6 months of treatment (p<0.001).

The level of MDA shows significantly lower values after six months of therapy with antioxidants (p<0.001).Whereas another marker which is denoted by PC was also lower after the treatment, but was not statistically significant (p=0.0554). There is, however, lack of agreement, because improvement is not consistent and there is wide variation in the treatment regimens, on the dose and duration of treatment and whether mono or combined oral antioxidants should be administered. Always keep on mind that, antioxidants are not free from potential side effects “antioxidant paradox”.