Protective Effects of Antioxidant Supplements on Sperm Parameters, Sperm DNA Damage and Level of Seminal ROS in RPL Patients: A Clinical Trial Study

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) is an important medical problem comprising approximately 15% of all pregnancies. Sperm DNA damage and level of seminal ROS may have a role in RPL.

The main aim of the present study was to appraise the efficacy of antioxidants for improving these parameters in RPL patients.

In a clinical trial, 90 couples suffering from RPL were divided into two groups from April 2014 to December 2015 at the Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility in Iran. Group I received supplemental vitamin E (400 µg) daily in combination with Se (200 µg) and the other group received vitamin E plus zinc for three months. Sperm parameters, sperm DNA damage, and seminal ROS were evaluated before and after treatment and compared between the two groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS and P values of ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Our results revealed normal sperm parameters in RPL patients. Sperm parameters substantially improved in the two treated groups (P ≤ 0.05). The ROS level dramatically reduced in the two groups (P = 0.01). The evaluation of chromatin integrity with AB staining did not show any remarkable changes in group 1 (P = 0.3), but it showed a considerable rate reduction in group 2 (P = 0.04). Also, it showed significant decreases with TB, CMA3, and TUNEL assays in both groups (P = 0.001). However, we did not find any significant difference between the two groups.

Supplemental vitamin E in combination with selenium or zinc may improve semen quality by decreasing the level of seminal ROS and sperm DNA damage in RPL patients. We advocate their use for improving the quality of the men’s sperm DNA.