title: Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters, sperm function and reproductive hormones in infertile men.
abstract: We determined the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on semen parameters, sperm function and reproductive hormone profiles in infertile men.
  
  
  
  A total of 212 infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg coenzyme Q10 (Kaneka, Osaka, Japan) orally daily (106 in group 1) or a similar placebo regimen (106 in group 2) during a 26-week period, followed by a 30-week treatment-free phase. Two semen analyses, acrosome reaction test, immunobead test for antisperm antibody, and determination of resting levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, testosterone and inhibin B were done in all participants. Blood and seminal plasma total coenzyme Q10 was also assessed.
  
  
  
  Significant improvement in sperm density and motility was evident with coenzyme Q10 therapy (each p = 0.01). Using the Kruger classification sperm morphology evaluation revealed an increase in the percent of normal forms in the coenzyme Q10 group (p = 0.07). A positive correlation was found between treatment duration with coenzyme Q10 and sperm count (r = 0.46, p = 0.03) as well as with sperm motility (r = 0.45, p = 0.04) and sperm morphology (r = 0.34, p = 0.04). The coenzyme Q10 group had a significant decrease in serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone at the 26-week treatment phase (each p = 0.03). By the end of the treatment phase the mean +/- SD acrosome reaction had increased from 14% +/- 8% and 15% +/- 8% to 31% +/- 11% and 16% +/- 10% in the coenzyme Q10 and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.01).
  
  
  
  Coenzyme Q10 supplementation resulted in a statistically significant improvement in certain semen parameters. However, further studies are needed to draw a final conclusion and evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the pregnancy rate.
authors.affiliation: Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. safarinejad@unrc.ir
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Safarinejad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10