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Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a meta-analysis

  • Gonadal Physiology and Disease
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q10 treatments in male infertility, specifically in these parameters: live birth and pregnancy rates, CoQ10 seminal concentration, sperm concentration, and sperm motility.

Materials and methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis in male infertility patients with CoQ10 oral treatments. Three trials were included: 149 males in CoQ10 group and 147 males in placebo group.

Results

None of the included trials provided any data regarding live births. The results of this meta-analysis show that supplementing infertile men with CoQ10 does not increase pregnancy rates. The analysis showed, among patients receiving CoQ10 treatment, a statistically significant increase in: CoQ10 seminal concentration (RR 49.55, 95 % CI 46.44 to 52.66, I2 = 17 %), sperm concentration (RR 5.33, 95 % CI 4.18 to 6.47, I2 = 58 %), and sperm motility (RR 4.50, 95 % CI 3.92 to 5.08, I2 = 0 %)

Conclusion

There is no evidence in the literature that CoQ10 increases either live birth or pregnancy rates, but there is a global improvement in sperm parameters. Adequately powered, robust trials of individual and combination antioxidant therapies are required to guide clinical practice.

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Correspondence to Rafael Lafuente.

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Capsule Oral treatment with Coenzyme Q10 improves sperm concentration and sperm motility, but there is no evidence that increases either live birth or pregnancy rates.

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Lafuente, R., González-Comadrán, M., Solà, I. et al. Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a meta-analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet 30, 1147–1156 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0047-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-013-0047-5

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