Introduction. Inflammation of the male accessory glands, particularly chronic prostatitis including the asymptomatic form (NIH category IV), is a common cause of oxidative stress. In such patients, bacteriospermia, leukocytospermia, and increased oxidative stress may be detected, which can potentially impair sperm function and reproductive outcomes. Antioxidant therapy is one of the key approaches in the management of male infertility, especially in the presence of oxidative stress.
Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant therapy with «AndrOPREN®».
Materials and Methods. The study included 30 men from infertile couples aged 25–45 years with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in ejaculate and chronic prostatitis confirmed by prostatic secretion analysis (including NIH category IV). Patients received «AndrOPREN®» at a dose of 4 capsules per day (two capsules of No. 1 and two capsules of No. 2) for 1 month. Semen analysis parameters and ROS generation were assessed at baseline and after 1 month of therapy.
Results. Twenty-three of 30 patients had no clinical symptoms of chronic prostatitis (NIH-IV). After 1 month of therapy, a statistically significant decrease in ROS generation in ejaculate was observed (28.44 [17.38–37.48] → 11.8 [6.97–16.5] mV; p<0.0001). Concurrently, the number of motile spermatozoa increased (8.85 [6.96–13.14] → 11.93 [9.44–15.04] million; p=0.0477), as did the number of progressively motile spermatozoa (6.914 [4.57–8.65] → 8.766 [6.12–12.13] million; p=0.03846). Ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, and morphology did not change significantly (p>0.05). In 7 patients with symptomatic chronic prostatitis (NIH-IIIa), symptom regression was observed in all cases (reduced pain and dysuria scores and improved quality of life); however, no statistical analysis was performed due to the small sample size. Within 6 months after the end of the study, spontaneous pregnancy occurred in 7 couples; in an additional 3 couples, clinical pregnancy occurred after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion. One-month therapy with «AndrOPREN®» in men with chronic prostatitis and increased ejaculate ROS generation is associated with reduced oxidative stress and increased numbers of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa, with no reported adverse events. These findings suggest that AndrOPREN® may be considered as a short-term antioxidant preparation, including prior to ART cycles, in patients with signs of inflammation and oxidative stress.
