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Abstract
To examine whether a beneficial effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on semen parameters
and oxidative/antioxidant status in idiopathic male infertility exists. The production
of reactive oxygen species is a normal physiologic event in various organs. However,
overproduction of reactive oxygen species can be detrimental to sperm and has been
associated with male infertility.
Our study included 120 patients who had attended our clinic and were diagnosed with
idiopathic infertility according to medical history and physical and seminal examination
findings, as initial evaluations. The patients were divided randomly into 2 groups.
Those in the study group (60 men) were given NAC (600 mg/d orally) for 3 months; the
control group (60 men) received a placebo. The oxidative status was determined by
measuring the total antioxidant capacity, total peroxide and oxidative stress index
in plasma samples. The sperm parameters were evaluated after NAC treatment and were
compared with those in the control group.
NAC had significant improving effects on the volume, motility, and viscosity of semen.
After NAC treatment, the serum total antioxidant capacity was greater and the total
peroxide and oxidative stress index were lower in the NAC-treated group compared with
the control group. These beneficial effects resulted from reduced reactive oxygen
species in the serum and reduced viscosity of the semen. No significant differences
were found in the number or morphology of the sperm between the 2 groups.
We believe that NAC could improve some semen parameters and the oxidative/antioxidant
status in patients with male infertility.