Evaluating the Effect of L-Arginine on Sperm Viability in Patients with Oligospermia

Oligospermia, defined as reduced sperm concentration in the seminal fluid, frequently coexists with disturbances in other seminal parameters, including sperm viability, which reflects the structural and functional integrity of the sperm plasma membrane. L-arginine, a semi-essential amino acid and principal substrate for nitric oxide synthase, contributes to nitric oxide biosynthesis and polyamine metabolism, both implicated in testicular blood flow regulation, germ cell maturation, and sperm functional competence. Although several studies have examined L-arginine in combination with other antioxidants, direct evidence regarding its standalone effect on sperm viability remains limited. This controlled interventional study evaluated the effect of oral L-arginine on sperm viability in men with oligospermia. Twenty men aged ۳۰-۵۰ years with oligospermia were assigned to an intervention group (n=۱۰), receiving oral L-arginine at ۴ g/day for ۱۲ weeks, and a control group (n=۱۰) receiving no treatment, under similar monitoring conditions. Sperm viability was assessed using the trypan blue exclusion test and expressed as mean percentage ± standard deviation, with group comparisons performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and P<۰.۰۵ considered statistically significant. The mean percentage of viable sperm was significantly higher in the L-arginine group (۵۹.۹۸±۳.۸۸%) than in the control group (۴۰.۱۱±۱.۳۶%), a difference of ۱۹.۸۷ percentage points that was highly significant (P<۰.۰۰۱). These findings indicate that oral L-arginine supplementation at ۴ g/day for ۱۲ weeks significantly improves sperm viability in men with oligospermia and may serve as a promising adjunctive nutritional intervention for male infertility.

کلیدواژه ها:

L-arginine ، Oligospermia ، Sperm viability ، Male infertility