EFFECTS OF SPIRULINA SUPPLEMENT IN MALE REPRODUCTIVE PROFILES AND IDIOPATHIC INFERTILITY

Background and Aim : Males are found to be solely responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases and contribute to 50% of cases overall. Infertility in men can result from deficiencies in sperm formation, concentration, or transportation. Spirulina is a blue–green microalga belonging to the Oscillatoraceae family which composition is rich in b-complex, vitamins, minerals, ß-carotene, riboflavin, α-tocopherol, proteins, ɤ-linoleic acid and pigments.Methods : Due to the high prevalence of infertility in men and the need for non-invasive treatment, valid papers indexed in databases such as Web of science, Scopus, PubMed were used in this narrative review. Infertility, Sperm quality, Spirulina and Supplement are keywords in this review.Results : The causes of male infertility also include infective and nutritional factors, oxidative stress (OS) that resulting from imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS( and antioxidants. ROS are associated with lipid peroxidation, DNA and protein damages. The effect of Spirulina on reproductive functions is not well known. Spirulina maxima extracts increased the body and testis weights, metabolic parameters, normal seminiferous tubules, Leydig cell number, testosterone levels and steroidogenic enzymes mRNA. 11% higher volume of semen was collected from males receiving a supplement of Spirulina extract compared to the group not receiving the supplement. The quality of the sperm has been improved due to Spirulina. S. platensis may protect testes against HgCl2-induced testicular damage, as evidenced by its effective restoration potency of oxidative stress markers, activities of enzymatic antioxidant biomarkers and histopathological alterations.Conclusion : Spirulina supplementation has a positive effect on the process of spermatogenesis and sperm profiles.Although these effects are scientifically supported, proper dosing is necessary in spirulina supplements.

Keywords:

Infertility , Sperm quality , Spirulina Supplement