title: Sperm quality in men is improved by supplementation with a combination of L-arginine, L-citrullin, roburins and Pycnogenol®.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Prelox®R, a combination of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol®), L-arginine, L-citrulline and roburins, on male fertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm quality of 50 subfertile men was tested in monthly intervals in a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, crossover study. Patients received 2 tablets Prelox®R or placebo twice daily during test periods. Following a run-in period of 1 month, patients received either Prelox®R or a placebo for 1 month. After a wash-out period of 1 month, patients received Prelox®R or a placebo in a crossover manner for 1 month. Sperm volume, concentration of spermatozoa, total count, motility, vitality and morphology were measured by standard methods of calculation of the Fertility Index (FI) in monthly intervals. Activity of e-NOS in sperm was evaluated in parallel by measuring the quantity of L-citulline produced from L-arginine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplementation with Prelox®R enhanced sperm volume and concentration, motility, vitality and morphology significantly versus placebo. The Fertility Index rose to normal values during treatment with Prelox®R. e-NOS activity in sperm was elevated by Prelox®R. No adverse effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prelox®R offers a safe method to improve quality of human spermatozoa in subfertile men.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacy, University of Münster, Münster, Germany - rohdewa@uni-muenster.de.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanislavov
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rohdewald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002956:Citrulline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029963:Quercus; D055101:Semen Analysis
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C553157:prelox; D002956:Citrulline; D001224:Aspartic Acid; C024070:pycnogenols; D001120:Arginine