Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Dermatology and Venerology

In the first section of the study 60 patients complaining of infertility, with the chief etiology is idiopathic asthenozoospermia (either isolated or associated with oligozoospermia) group I received 600 mg/day of alpha lipoic acid as an antioxidant ( Alpha lipoic acids were selected for this purpose for their efficient free radical scavenging properties, and solubility in lipid and aqueous phases. ALA does not cause a major shift of pH into acidic regions, because the acid is categorized as a weak acid. Recent findings have also indicated that ALA is able to enter the Krebs cycle, thus assisting in the production of ATP, which is required in viable sperm.), while group II received placebo for 3 months duration, and semen was assessed monthly using CASA. The study had been conducted in a double blind, placebo controlled; after wash out period for 3 months, the crossover section of the study started by 41 patients. All the 3 main semen parameters (count, motility &abnormal forms) monitored and compared for every patient and between both groups pretreatment, after 3rd month and after the second section. The results revealed improvement with active drug intake regarding total motility (group I), after cross over section placebo improved both progressive & total motility. While group II received placebo; there was improvement in count, progressive & total motility, but when active drug was taken for 3 months later, there was no more improvement in the cross over section and all the results regressed.Conclusion: From the results of this study, alpha lipoic acid adds no more than placebo in idiopathic asthenoozospermia. We recommend further study on larger group of patients to reach final conclusions

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