The Efficacy of the Supplementation of Selenium on the Semen Quality and Serum Concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in Infertile Men
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61856/wmj94h52Keywords:
Selenium, Male Infertility inflammatory Cytokines Semen AnalysisAbstract
Normal sperm quality is essential for male fertility, yet approximately 20% of couples experience infertility attributable to male factors, defined as failure to achieve conception after one year of regular unprotected intercourse. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines have been closely associated with male infertility, while selenium, owing to its antioxidant properties, may protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation and improve semen quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of selenium supplementation on sperm quality and inflammatory markers, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP), in infertile men. A follow-up study was conducted at a private urology clinic in Baghdad, Iraq, involving 25 infertile men who received a daily dose of 200 mg of selenium for three months, from January to March 2024. Semen analysis and measurements of TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP were performed before and after treatment. The results demonstrated that infertile men exhibited significantly lower semen parameters and higher inflammatory marker levels compared to the control group prior to treatment. Following selenium supplementation, a significant reduction in TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP levels was observed, accompanied by a marked improvement in semen parameters. These findings indicate that selenium supplementation effectively reduces inflammatory responses and enhances sperm quality, supporting its potential therapeutic role in the management of male infertility.
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