Seminal coenzyme Q10: antioxidant properties and involvement in male infertility

Coenzyme Q(10) was assayed in total seminal fluid and in seminal plasma in 97 patients with normal or pathological findings at standard semen analysis . CoQ(10) showed a direct correlation with seminal parameters (sperm count and motility). In patients with varicocele, the correlation with sperm coun t was preserved. but on the contrary the correlation with sperm motility wa s lacking. In the patients, who underwent surgical treatment for varicocele , a trend toward lowering of plasma CoQ(10) was observed. This phenomenon, although not significant in this group of patients, could indicate a partia l reversibility of the altered distribution of the coenzyme. This datum nee ds therefore to be further investigated. Taken together, our results sugges t a pathophysiological meaning of CoQ(10) in human seminal fluid as defence of the cell from free-radical damage and a possible molecular defect in va ricocele patients, a rationale might arise for a possible treatment with ex ogenous CoQ(10) in dyspermic patients.