The Effect of Oral Zinc Supplementation on Thiol Oxido-reductive Index

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Although several studies have considered the relationship between infertility and semen thiol compounds levels, no study on the effects of asthenospermia treatments such as oral zinc supplementation on thiol related enzymes activity which are important in fertility of the individual has been reported.

Detailed Description
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The present study was conducted to study the effect of zinc supplementation on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of semen along with reduced thiol, oxidized thiol and thiol related enzymes in the seminal plasma of asthenospermic patients.

Official Title
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The Effect of Oral Zinc Supplementation on Thiol Oxido-reductive Index and Thiol Related Enzymes in Spermatozoa of Iraqi Asthenospermic Patients

Conditions
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Asthenozoospermia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: zinc sulfate


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The presence of asthenozoospermia in the semen sample. Exclusion Criteria: The absence of endocrinopathy, varicocele, and female factor infertility. Smokers and alcoholic men were excluded from the study because of their recognized high seminal ROS levels and decreased antioxidant levels.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 26 Years
Maximum Age: 36 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Zinc sulfate<br>60 subfertile (age 32.5±3.23 year) men with asthenozoospermia was treated with zinc sulfate,every participant took two capsules of zinc sulfate per day for three months (each one 220 mg). | Dietary Supplement: zinc sulfate<br>* The subfertile group treated with zinc sulfate, every participant took two capsules of zinc sulfate per day for three months (each one 220 mg).<br>|
| No Intervention: Healthy control<br>60 fertile (age 31.6±3.3 year) men, no treatment | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thiol oxido-reductive index levels in spermatozoa and seminal plasma. The investigators evaluated the effects of zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) supplementation on Thiol oxido-reductive index levels. |  | up to three months. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Glutathione peroxidase activity levels in spermatozoa and seminal plasma. The investigators evaluated the effects of zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) supplementation on Glutathione peroxidase activity levels. |  | up to three months. | 
| Sulfhydryl oxidase activity levels in spermatozoa and seminal plasma. The investigators evaluated the effects of zinc sulfate (220 mg/d) supplementation on Sulfhydryl oxidase activity levels. |  | up to three months. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Zinc supplementation, Thiol, Glutathione peroxidase, Sulfhydryl oxidase