Selenium, Total Antioxidant Capacity and Coenzyme Q10

In a recent study, researchers assessed the levels of Selenium (Se), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) in blood serum and semen and determined their relationship to spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology, in men with idiopathic infertility. A total of 59 people participated in the study. Forty-four patients were diagnosed with idiopathic male infertility and had abnormal sperm parameters while 15 individuals had normal sperm parameters and proven fertility and were used as a normal control group. Serum Selenium, sperm Selenium, and sperm Total Antioxidant Capacity differed between fertile and infertile men and this result was statistically significant. However, Total Antioxidant Capacity and Coenzyme Q10 in both sperm and serum did not differ between fertile and infertile men.

A comparison of serum and sperm Selenium levels showed a positive correlation (higher blood levels meant higher sperm levels) in all subjects in the study (fertile and infertile men).

The study showed that both serum and sperm Selenium levels were positively correlated with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology - the higher the selenium, the better the parameters studied. In addition, the sperm's Total Antioxidant Capacity was positively correlated with all these sperm parameters. On the other hand, sperm CoQ-10 levels were correlated only with sperm morphology, but not with concentration or motility. In this study, no correlation was observed between the Total Antioxidant Capacity of the blood as well as the levels of Coenzyme Q10 in the blood, with the parameters of the sperm.

In conclusion, serum and sperm plasma Selenium deficiency may be a determining factor in men with abnormal sperm parameters and idiopathic infertility. Estimating the levels of Selenium and Total Antioxidant Capacity in serum and semen can help determine the nutritional and antioxidant status of infertile men, which can help doctors to distinguish those patients who will benefit from supplement therapy.

References

Eroglu M., et al.: Blood Serum and Seminal Plasma Selenium, Total Antioxidant Capacity and Coenzyme Q10 Levels in Relation to Semen Parameters in Men with Idiopathic Infertility. Biol Trace Elem Res, April 2014.