Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia: an open, uncontrolled pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify a potential therapeutic role of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia.


METHODS
Open, uncontrolled pilot study.


METHODS
Infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia.


METHODS
CoQ(10) was administered orally; semen samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE (S): Semen kinetic parameters, including computer-assisted sperm data and CoQ(10) and phosphatidylcholine levels.


RESULTS
CoQ(10) levels increased significantly in seminal plasma and in sperm cells after treatment. Phosphatidylcholine levels also increased. A significant increase was also found in sperm cell motility as confirmed by computer-assisted analysis. A positive dependence (using the Cramer's index of association) was evident among the relative variations, baseline and after treatment, of seminal plasma or intracellular CoQ(10) content and computer-determined kinetic parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
The exogenous administration of CoQ(10) may play a positive role in the treatment of asthenozoospermia. This is probably the result of its role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its antioxidant properties.
Balercia
Giancarlo
G
Department of Internal Medicine, Umberto I Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy. g.balercia@ao-umbertoprimo.marche.it
Mosca
Fabrizio
F
Mantero
Franco
F
Boscaro
Marco
M
Mancini
Antonio
A
Ricciardo-Lamonica
Giuseppe
G
Littarru
GianPaolo
G
D000328:Adult; D003067:Coenzymes; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013076:Sperm Count; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003067:Coenzymes; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10