Effect of protodioscin on the quantity and quality of sperms from males with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia

K.M. Arsyad
Medical Biology Division of Andrology, University of Sriwijaya, Indonesia (1996)
Medika 22 (8): 614-618 (1996)

SUMMARY

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a certain dosage and period of administration of Libilov (protodioscin) on sperm quality and quantity in men with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia. This study also evaluated protodioscin's effect on libido, erection, ejaculation and orgasm. Lastly, We also determined the length of time that the beneficial effects of the treatment lasted after administration of the preparation was stopped.

Our result showed that oral Libilov treatment with the dose of 3 x 2 tablets per day for 60 days could:

- increase sperm quantity and quality in men diagnosed with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia
- restore and enhance libido, erection, ejaculation, and orgasm of sexual intercourse, as compared to before the treatment. This result was obtained in more than 80% of the treated patients.

ABSTRACT

A couple is defined as infertile if no conception results after one year of normal sexual practice without contraception. The world prevalence of infertile couples is between 5-20%, with 10-20% of which is without medical basis or explanation. Etiologically, such infertility could result from either the male partner, the female partner, or both. Studies in Indonesia showed that the frequency of infertility due to the male partner is between 34-60%.

This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a certain dosage and period of administration of Libilov™(protodioscin) on sperm quality and quantity of men with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia. This study also evaluated protodioscin's effect on libido, erection , ejaculation and orgasm in males. Lastly, we also determined how long the beneficial effect of the treatment lasted after the treatment was stopped.

Our result showed that protodioscin treatment with the dose of 3 x 2 tablets / day per oral administration for 60 days could increase the sperm quality and quantity in men diagnosed with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia, restore and enhance libido, erection, ejaculations and orgasms of sexual intercourse, as compared to before the treatment. These results were found in over 80% of the treated patients. Finally, we suggest that a further, more detailed study be carried out to assess the effect of protodioscin on oligozoospermia with other etiological factors, as well as its effects on the male reproductive system.

INTRODUCTION

A couple is diagnosed with infertility, if within one year of regular sexual practice without the use of contraception, no successful fertilization leads to pregnancy. If this constitutes the female's first attempt to achieve pregnancy, this infertility can be classified as primary infertility. On the other hand, if the female has been pregnant before, leading either to normal birth or spontaneous abortion, or if the female has had ectopic pregnancies, then the infertility is classified as secondary infertility (1).

According to the National Survey of Family Growth (2) in 1982, the prevalence of infertile couples that want to conceive reaches 14% in the United States, whereas world-wide this number ranges from 5-20% (1,3). Approximately 10-20% of these infertility cases have no known medical basis or etiology, and can be due to infertility in the male partner, the female partner, or both.

Barten and Moningka (4) reported that based on a study conducted in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia, male infertility contributed up to 34% of the infertility cases. Koesoemonegoro, however, suggested that in couples diagnosed with primary infertility, infertile males made up 74% of the cases, whereas 60% of secondary infertility cases were attributable to the males (5). Previously, we determined that in 246 infertile couples in Palembang, Indonesia, 48% of their infertilities were due to the male partners (6).

Etiological studies of male infertility is mostly based on laboratory analyses of semen. For example, oligozoospermia can be caused by cryptorchidism, varicocele, hydrocele, medication side effects, systemic infection, partial obstruction of the vas deferens, or other idiopathic factors (Table I). In addition to semen analyses, spermiogram and testes volume measurements are also often used to diagnose male infertility.

Idopathic hypospermatogenesis                       Orchitism
                                                 Varicocele
                                                            Cryptorcidism

Idiopathic hypospermatogenesis
                                 Varicocele
                                              Infection
                                              Chronic disease

Table I. Etiology of male infertility based on spermiogram and testes volume analyses (Hudson et al., 1980)

The current treatments for oligozoospermia include medication by clomifen citrate, tamoxifen, protodioscin, combination of HMG and hCG, combination of FSH and hCG, and artificial insemination with or without treated sperms (8, 9, 10).

Protodioscin is the dominant compound, present at no less than 45% of the total plant extract of Tribulus terrestris L. It has been reported to increase spermatozoa concentration, mobility as well as to improve libido in men and laboratory animals (10, 11, 12). As protodioscin is a non-hormonal and non-synthetic preparation that differed from other treatment options for oligozoospermia, we sought to determine its effectiveness on the sperm quantity and quality in males diagnosed with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia. We also sought to determine how long the beneficial effects lasted after treatment was stopped. Lastly, we also determined protodioscin's effects on the male sex drive, penile erection, ejaculation and orgasm qualities.

METHODS

This study was conducted in six months, and involved 15 men diagnosed with moderate idiopathic oligozoospermia (7) of ages 25 to 40 years. We determined the following variables before and after treatment:
- spermiogram
- FSH, LH and testosterone levels
- hematological analyses
- blood chemistry analyses
- testes volume by orchidometer
- sex drive, erection, ejaculation and orgasm qualities

Each patients received protodioscin (Libilov) at a dose of 3 x 2 tablets / day orally for 60 days. Semen analyses were performed twice before treatment (day 1), once after treatment is concluded day 60) and once 30 days post-treatment (day 90). Changes in sex drive or libido, erection, ejaculation and orgasm qualities during sexual intercourse were measured by patient interviews at mid-treatment (day 30) and after treatment (day 60). Data gathered were subjected to statistical analyses (t-pair test), and was presented as means ± standard deviation.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

As seen in Table II, spermatozoa concentration increased in all patients, to approximately 160% after treatment was over (day 60). This continued to increase to 200% when tested 30 days after the last day of administration of protodioscin (day 90). Our result agreed with that previously published by Moeloek et al. (10) and by Viktorof et al. (12). Moeloek reported that treatment of male patients diagnosed with oligozoospermia with protodioscin at 3 x 2 tablets / day dosage for 9 weeks resulted in increased sperm concentration.

Table II. Sperm concentration, mobility (a+b), and with normal morphology before, after, and without Libilov (protodioscin) treatment

In addition to the increase in sperm concentration, we also discovered that the percent mobility (grade a+b) and percentage of sperm with normal morphology were also increased. This was different than that reported by Moeloek et al. (10), which stated that although sperm morphology was improved, there was no significant change in sperm motility.

The increase in sperm concentration, mobility and morphology after treatment in this study is statistically significant (p < 0.05). Even so, these improvements are still not yet within the bounds of normal parameters as determined by the World Health Organization in 1992 (13), i.e. > 20 million sperms / ml and percent mobility (a+b) > 50%.

Coupled with hormonal analyses (Table III), the increase in sperm mobility and morphology appeared to be linked to the increased level of testosterone. Testosterone is involved in sperm maturation in the epididymis (7, 14, 15). These findings agree with the hypothesized mechanism of protodioscin, i.e. to increase the efficiency of spermatogenesis and the increase in sperm production by stimulation of the Sertoli and germinal cells. Protodioscin increases the level of conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which stimulates the epididymal maturation of spermatozoa into fertile sperms (7, 11, 15).

Table III. Serum level of FSH (IU/l), LH (IU/l), and testosterone (nmol/l) before and after 30 & 60 days of Libilov treatment

We concluded that the level of FSH was not increased by protodioscin treatment (Table III). The level of LH and testosterone, however, were increased to level still accepted as normal. This result was internally consistent, as the increased level of LH was responsible for the activation of Leydig cells to increase testosterone secretion, thus resulting in increased testosterone level in the bloodstream. This agreed with the previously described effect of protodioscin on these hormones (11).

Although there was an increase in the concentration of spermatozoa by protodioscin treatment, we found no increase in the testes volume of treated patients (Table IV). This could be due to our orchidometer, which had a set volume measurement of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 ml. An increase of 1, 2 or 3 ml could not be measured in testes of more than 10 ml volumes. Moreover, it was known that protodioscin does not increase the density of Leydig cells. Instead, it increased the density of the Sertoli cells, and increased the amount of spermatogonias, spermatocytes and spermatids without changing in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. In this study, the testes volumes of the treated patients were categorized as either borderline (12-15 ml) or normal (15-30 ml), according to the criteria set forth by Hudson et al. (7).

Patient Code

Before Treatment
left     right

After Treatment
left     right

S01
S02
S03
S04
S05
S06
S07
S08
S09
S10
S11
S12
S13
S14
S15

15     20
20     20
15     15
15     15
15     15
15    15
15     15
15     12
12     12
15     15
20     15
15     12
15     12
15     12
15     15

15     20
20     20
15     15
15     15
15     15
15    15
15     15
15     12
12     12
15     15
20     15
15     12
15     12
15     12
15     15

Table IV. Testes volume (ml) before and after Libilov treatment

In Table V and Graph I, we showed that the protodioscin treatment resulted in significant increase in sex drive by 33% after 30 day of treatment, and continued to 80% after 60 days. Erection increased by 53% in 30 days, and by 87% in 60 days. Ejaculation quality improved by 47% and 67% after 30 and 60 days of treatment, respectively. Importantly, orgasm quality improved significantly by 40% and 87% after 30, and 60 days of treatment.

Table V. Parameter of sexual fitness (sex drive, erection, ejaculation and quality of orgasm or pleasure) before, after 30-, and 60-days of Libilov treatment.

Graph I. Sexual fitness after 30- and 60-days of Libilov treatment

These result agreed partially with a previous study (16), which reported improvement in libido, although not a significant increases in the qualities of penis erection, ejaculation and orgasm. As with all previous studies, no patients reported any unwanted side-effects in this trial.

To determine whether protodioscin treatment affected the normal heart and liver function, we conducted a laboratory analyses to determine the Hb, hematocrit, thrombocyte and lipid serum levels, as well as heart functions (Table VI). We concluded that there were no abnormal or significant changes in these parameters. This suggested that the administration of protodioscin for 60 days at 3 x 2 tablets / day was medically safe. The increase in the Hb level seemed to be due to the increased conversion of to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone, a potent androgen, stimulated erythropoesis and muscle developments. This contributed to a general feeling of well-being and health reported by some patients, as increased red blood cells level improved oxygen transport and circulation in the body. These, in turn, would also contribute to the improvement in sexual functions of the patients, in all part of the sexual response phases (17).

Table VI. Hb, hematocrit, thrombocyte and lipid serum levels; and heart functions

SUMMARY AND SUGGESTION

Based on our study, we concluded that protodioscin treatment for 60 days at the dose of 3 x 2 tablets per day could create improvements in the quality and quantity of sperms, in sex drive, erection, ejaculation and orgasm qualities in treated males. Significantly, improvements in sex drive were experienced by 80% of males. A more detailed further study, however is warranted to determine the efficiency of protodioscin treatment on other forms of oilgozoospermia, and to determine in detail its effect on the male reproductive system.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We wish to thank PT Teguhsindo Lestaritama for providing protodioscin (Libilov™) for this study.

REFERENCES

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