Comparison of the Effect of Multiple Dietary Supplements on the Quality of Sperm Parameters in Elite and Amateur Soccer Players

TL;DR

This study found that dietary supplements improved sperm motility and morphology in soccer players, suggesting they may help with male infertility.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that specific dietary supplements improve sperm motility and morphology in football players.

Findings

Sperm motility improved significantly in both elite and amateur players after supplementation.

Sperm morphology also showed significant improvement following the use of the supplements.

Baseline differences in motility and morphology were observed between the groups.

Abstract

Background: Sperm DNA integrity is a key factor in male fertility and the health of future generations. Physical activities such as football can increase oxidative stress, potentially compromising sperm quality. Dietary supplements targeting oxidative balance and the one-carbon metabolic cycle have shown promise in improving sperm parameters.

Objective: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial investigated the effect of multiple dietary supplements (Condensyl and Nurilia) on sperm parameters in elite and amateur football players in Isfahan.

Method: Eighty male football players (40 elite and 40 amateur), each with more than two years of experience and abnormal semen parameters, were randomly assigned to supplement or placebo groups using a computer-generated list. Subjects were evaluated for sperm parameters and then treated daily for 3 months with two tablets of multiple diet supplements. For 3 months, subjects received two 600 mg tablets daily (Condensyl, Parthenogen SAGL, Lugano, Switzerland, and Nurilia SARL, Lyon, France). The placebo group also received two 500 mg capsules containing starch daily (Nader Isfahan Limited Liability Company and received the registration number 14906). Semen samples were collected in two stages before and after 3 months of drug use with 4 days of sexual abstinence. Half an hour after sample collection and liquefaction, parameter analysis (concentration, motility, and morphology) was performed. Comparison of sperm parameters before and after drug intervention was performed using SPSS software Version 24 and the Shapiro–Wilk test, followed by multivariate analysis of variance. A significance level of 0.05 was considered.

Results: Baseline comparisons revealed significant group differences in motility (p=0.024) and morphology (p=0.008). Sperm concentration increased in both elite and amateur players receiving supplements, though the change was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, significant improvements were observed in sperm motility (p=0.014 and p=0.02) and morphology (p=0.01) following supplementation.

Conclusion: Supplementation with Condensyl and Nurilia, which include key vitamins and antioxidants supporting the one-carbon cycle, significantly improves sperm motility and morphology in male football players. These findings support the use of such supplements as a supportive therapy in the management of male infertility.

Figures