The Effect of Grape Seed Extract on Semen Oxidative Stress Markers in Men with Idiopathic Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Before-After Study

Assisted reproductive technique is the last treatment resort for idiopathic male infertility (IMI). In recent years, antioxidants have received vast attention to treat IMI by decreasing seminal oxidative stress.
In this cross-sectional before-after study, we evaluated the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) as an antioxidant on seminal chemistry. Twenty-nine patients with IMI were treated with GSE 600 mg per day for 3 months. Seminal catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde, and serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were evaluated both at the beginning and at the end of the study.
Mean age of the patients was 32.5 ± 4.9 years. GSE consumption resulted in increased semen catalase (44.67 ± 17.11 vs. 53.05 ± 18.6, P = 0.016), decreased semen malondialdehyde (1.77 ± 0.48 vs. 1.55 ± 0.43, P = 0.024), and increased serum FSH (3.53 ± 1.51 vs. 4.3 ± 2.00, P = 0.026).
Our study revealed GSE effectiveness in decreasing seminal oxidative stress in patients suffering from IMI.