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NCT Number: NCT01684059

Study the Effect of Oral Zinc Supplementation on Enzymes of Nitric Oxide Pathway

The ability of spermatozoa to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been respected since the 1940's. Oxidative stress limits the functional competence of mammalian spermatozoa via lipid peroxidation, the induction of oxidative DNA damage and the formation of protein adducts. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical generated from the oxidation of L-arginine to L-citrulline by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent NO synthases. Several studies suggest that the overproduction of this free radical and the subsequent excessive exposure to oxidative conditions have a potential pathogenetic implication, which due to the reduction of sperm motility. The present study was conducted to study the effect of Zn supplementation on the levels of NO synthase and arginase in semen of patients with asthenozoospmia.

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Key information

Conditions

Asthenozoospermia Genital Diseases Genital Diseases, Male Infertility Infertility, Male Male Urogenital Diseases Urogenital Diseases

Age range

27 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Babylon university/ college of science

Hillah, Hilla, IQ, Iraq

About this study

Previous studies suggest that high concentrations of NO play an injurious consequence on spermatozoa kinetic characteristics. These studies reported that NO may react with superoxide or hydrogen peroxide, resulting in the production of peroxinitrite, hydroxyl radical, or singlet oxygen, which cause oxidation of sperm membrane lipids and thiol proteins. NO also may inhibit cellular respiration by nitro-sylation of heme in mitochondrial enzymes, aconitase, and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, leading to a reduction of adenosine triphosphate and that is due to loss of motility of spermatozoa.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • the presence of asthenozoospermia in the semen sample.

Exclusion criteria

  • the absence of endocrinopathy,
  • varicocele, and
  • female factor infertility. Smokers and alcoholic men were excluded from the study because of their recognized high seminal ROS levels and decreased antioxidant levels

Treatment and study plan

zinc sulfate

Dietary Supplement

every participant took two capsules of zinc sulfate per day for three months (each one 220mg)

Primary outcomes

  1. Nitric oxide synthase activity

    Time frame: at the end of three months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Arginase activity

    Time frame: at the end of three months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Babylon University

Other

Collaborators

  • Ministry of Health, Iraq

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Sep 12, 2012
Registry last updated
Sep 12, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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