Selenium-vitamin E supplementation in infertile men. Effects on semen parameters and micronutrient levels and distribution.
In order to verify the hypothesis that selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit E) could improve male fertility, nine oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men were supplemented for a period of 6 mo with Se and Vit E. Compared to the baseline period (presupplementation) of 4 mo, statistically significant increases were observed for Se and Vit E levels, sperm motility, percent live, and percent normal spermatozoa. These improvements are likely to be "supplementation-dependent," since all of the parameters returned to baseline values during the posttreatment period. None of the couples reported a pregnancy during the study. The HPLC analysis conducted on the serum of one of the patients showed the existence of at least six different Se-containing peaks, whose Se content was affected by supplementation. The mechanism(s) involved in these improvements of semen parameters is presently under investigation.
Vézina
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montreal, Canada.
Mauffette
F
F
Roberts
K D
KD
Bleau
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012661:Semen / Q000201:enzymology; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D014810:Vitamin E; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium