Abstract

Infertility is a problem of global proportions. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 8-12% of couples around the world experience difficulty conceiving a child. Spermatozoa like all cells living in aerobic conditions constantly face the oxygen (O2) paradox. Evidence now suggests that Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-mediated damage to sperm is a significant contributing pathology in 30–80% of cases.

Materials and methods: A longitudinal study involves 12 infertile men were treated with Selenium capsule 50microgram (one cap.) once daily at night. The treatments continued for 3months. History and clinical examination with semen analysis, as well as serum and seminal plasma study for zinc, magnesium, Malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione. FSH, LH, and Testosterone also done. All these studies done both before and after treatment. Statistical analysis done.

Results and discussion: There is significantly increase in sperm count, motility, viability, normal Sperm morphology, and ejaculate volume of infertile men compared after treatment with selenium. Serum Mg, Serum FSH, Serum LH, and Serum testosterone, and serum glutathione levels were significantly increased. Serum MDA significantly decreased in infertile men after treatment with selenium comparing with before treatment. These results supported by many studies published that explained and conclude the effect of selenium on semen quality.

Conclusion: Selenium can be used as a single agent in treatment of male infertility.

Keywords: Selenium; Male infertility; Semen analysis