TL;DR

Oligozoospermia means having a low sperm count and often includes poor sperm movement or shape. Research suggests oxidative stress damages sperm and may contribute to male infertility. Studies have found that CoQ10, a powerful antioxidant, may improve sperm count, movement, and structure in some men.

Oligozoospermia (also known as oligospermia), refers to semen with a low concentration of sperm and is a common finding in male infertility. Often semen with a decreased sperm concentration may also show significant abnormalities in sperm morphology and motility. In short, it is a low sperm count and may include problems with sperm movement and the structure of the sperm cell.

Research has provided some hope for men with fertility issues. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in the Journal of Urology (June 13, 2012) looked at the effect of ubiquinol supplementation on patients with oligozoospermia. Ubiquinol is a form of CoQ10.

The subjects of the study were 228 men with unexplained infertility. They were randomly assigned to receive either 200 mg of ubiquinol or a placebo each day for 26 weeks. The subjects were monitored for 12 weeks following the end of the supplementation period. Results suggest ubiquinol supplementation may be effective for improving sperm density, sperm motility and sperm morphology in men with this condition.

More recent studies support this. A review article (Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine 2021;48(2):97-104) discussed how CoQ10 helps with sperm health. Primarily, it is a powerful antioxidant. Oxidative stress (OS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered damaging to sperm and are responsible for 30%–80% of cases of subfertility. The dosage matters; those given 400 mg/day experienced more improvement than those given 200 mg/day [1].  Still, in another study a dose of 200 mg/day given for three months produced results [2]. In yet another study, CoQ10 supplementation (600 mg/day) for 12 months significantly increased sperm concentration (+113.7%), sperm progressive motility (+104.8%) and normal sperm morphology [3].

  1. The impact of two doses of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic OAT. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2019;46:112-8.
  2. Coenzyme Q10 improves sperm parameters, oxidative stress markers and sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia. World J Mens Health 2021;39:346-51.
  3. The effect of coenzyme Q11 supplementation on partner pregnancy rate in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia: an open-label prospective study. Int Urol Nephrol 2012;44:689-700.