Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of three antioxidants viz. selenium, carnitine and coenzyme Q10, alone or in combination, on both semen parameters and pregnancy rates in couples with male factor infertility.
METHODS
Using PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was performed of the PubMed®, Scopus®, EMBASE®, and Web of Science® databases for randomized studies comparing selenium, carnitine or coenzyme Q10 with placebo in the treatment of male infertility and reporting semen and pregnancy outcomes.
RESULTS
3304 studies were screened of which 20 were included. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020210284). Pregnancy rate in the treatment group (69/426, 16.2%) was not different from the placebo (45/401, 11.2%) (p=0.05). Treatment group showed higher motility [mean difference 5.05, 95% CI (2.77, 7.34), p=<0.0001], progressive motility [mean difference 5.72, 95% CI (2.77, 8.66), p=0.0001], sperm concentration [mean difference 6.58, 95% CI (3.22, 9.93), p=0.0001] than placebo.
CONCLUSIONS
Although antioxidants and their combinations are associated with improvement in sperm concentration, motility, and semen volume, the differences are small. There is no difference in pregnancy rates between patients receiving selenium, carnitine, and coenzyme Q10, or placebo. The quality of studies is poor, limiting the level of evidence.
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