EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON SEMEN PARAMETERS IN IDIOPATHIC MALE SUBFERTILITY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine the mean semen parameters after antioxidants in idiopathic male subfertility.

METHODOLOGY

A quasi-experimental study was conducted from March to June 2025 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sobhraj Maternity Hospital, Karachi, involving 60 idiopathic subfertile males aged 20–50 years, recruited through non-probability consecutive sampling. Eligible participants had abnormal semen parameters with normal genital examination and hormonal profile. All received oral antioxidant supplementation for three months. Semen volume, sperm count, progressive motility, and normal morphology were assessed pre- and post-treatment. Data were analysed using SPSS-26, applying paired statistical tests with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS
The mean age of participants was 34.6 ± 6.8 years. Following three months of antioxidant supplementation, a statistically significant improvement was observed in normal sperm morphology, increasing from 23.22 ± 23.28% at baseline to 33.60 ± 20.01% post-treatment (absolute mean difference +10.38 percentage points; p = 0.001). Changes in sperm volume, sperm concentration, and progressive motility were not statistically significant (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Antioxidant supplementation administered for three months resulted in a statistically significant improvement in normal sperm morphology among men with idiopathic subfertility, whereas no significant changes were observed in sperm volume, sperm concentration, or progressive motility. These findings support a potential role for antioxidants in improving semen parameters associated with oxidative stress.