Synergistic Protection of L-Arginine and Vitamin E On Lipid Peroxidation of Asthenospermic Patients

Background Lipid peroxidation is known to cause various impairments to sperm cells and may play a major role in the etiology of male infertility. Asthenospermia is the main factor of male infertility and has significantly higher level of peroxidation than in normozoospermic males. MaterialsAndMethods Using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay procedure, we have determined the level of lipid peroxidation as indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA) in the spermatozoa obtained from asthenospermic male semen. Results An inverse correlation of MDA concentration with sperm motility is observed. Treatment of cells with L-arginine and vitamin E significantly decreases the MDA concentration and improves the sperm motility as compared to that in case of control samples. A combination of L-arginine and vitamin E shows synergistic effect on sperm motility and prevention of lipid peroxidation. Conclusion L-arginine and vitamin E protect the cells against the loss of sperm motility by lipid peroxidation. Therefore, supplementation of both L-arginine and vitamin E may improve sperm motility and increase the possibility of fertilization in asthenospermic subjects.