Effect of Propolis Oral Supplements on Sperm Parameters and Oxidative Stress Indicator in Idiopathic Infertile Men: A double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Decrease in sperm motility and increase in oxidative stress levels are of the main causes of male infertility. Since the fertility has high value in most cultures, this study was performed with aim to investigate the effect of propolis supplementation on sperm parameters and oxidative stress markers in idiopathic infertile men. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial study was performed on 60 men with asthenospermia who referred to infertility clinic of Velayat hospital in Qazvin in 2016. The subjects were divided into two groups of intervention and placebo (n=30 in each group). The subjects in both groups received daily 1500 mg (three capsules of 500 mg) propolis and placebo for 12 weeks. The parameters of sperm, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were determined at the beginning and the end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 16), and Paired samples t-test (dependent t-test) and Independent samples t-test. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After the intervention, the number, concentration and percentage of sperm motility and total antioxidant capacity significantly increased in the intervention group and the concentration of malondialdehyde significantly decreased in the intervention group (p <0.05). Conclusion: Receiving the propolis leads to reduction in oxidative stress and improvement in sperm parameters. Since increased oxidative stress was observed in sperm disorders, receiving antioxidants supplement such as propolis may be one of the methods to deal with sperm oxidative impairments in this group of infertile men.

Keywords

• asthenospermia
• oxidative stress
• propolis
• sperm parameters