Journal of International Reproductive Health/Family Planning ›› 2025, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3): 192-200.doi: 10.12280/gjszjk.20240629

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Effectiveness of Four Commonly Used Oral Nutraceuticals in Improving the Sperm Quality in Male Infertility: A Network Meta-Analysis

WANG Heng-yang, HU Rong, FAN Wei, ZHANG Li-hong, ZHANG Zhi-gang()   

  1. School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730011, China (WANG Heng-yang, HU Rong, ZHANG Li-hong, ZHANG Zhi-gang); The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China (WANG Heng-yang, ZHANG Zhi-gang); Gansu Province Maternity and Child Health Hospital (Gansu Province Central Hospital), Lanzhou 730050, China (FAN Wei)
  • Received:2024-12-25 Published:2025-05-15 Online:2025-06-04
  • Contact: ZHANG Zhi-gang, E-mail: zzg3444@163.com

Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of oral nutritional supplements, including coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), vitamin E, inositol, and vitamin D, in improving sperm concentration, motility, morphology, count, and semen volume in male infertility patients, by a network Meta-analysis. Methods: Search PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library databases, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP and SinoMed from their inception to September 1, 2024. All of randomized controlled trials that evaluate the effects of oral nutritional supplements on male infertility patients were included in this network Meta-analysis. Results: A total of 13 studies involving 1 094 infertile men were included in this research. Inositol (MD=3.88, 95%CI: 0.59-7.17) significantly improved the sperm concentration, compared to placebo. CoQ10 (MD=6.45, 95%CI: 3.23-9.67); and inositol (MD=5.99, 95%CI: 1.91-10.08) successfully enhanced sperm motility. CoQ10 (MD=1.98, 95%CI: 1.29-2.68) and vitamin D+Ca (MD=-0.70, 95%CI: -1.29--0.11) effectively improved sperm morphology, while CoQ10 (MD=13.84, 95%CI: 1.49-26.19) successfully increased sperm count. Vitamin D+Ca (MD=0.40, 95%CI: 0.30-0.46) improved semen volume. No significant differences were observed between the vitamin D and vitamin E groups and the placebo group for the five target parameters. Conclusions: CoQ10, inositol, and vitamin D+Ca were demonstrated the better effects in improving semen quality in male infertility patients.

Key words: Infertility, male, Semen analysis, Inositol, Vitamin E, Network Meta-analysis, Ubiquinone, Coenzyme Q10