Comparative Study of the Effects of Tamoxifen Citrate
and Folate on Semen Quality of the Infertile Male
with Semen Abnormality
Arthit Boonyarangkul MD*, Nipattha Vinayanuvattikhun MD*,
Charoenchai Chiamchanya MD*, Pachara Visutakul MD, PhD**
Affiliation :
* Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
** Graduate Study, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Objective : To assess the effect of treatment with a combination of the antiestrogen Tamoxifen citrate and Folate on semen
quality of the infertile male with semen abnormality.
Design: Prospective randomized controlled trial study.
Material and Method: Between May 2013 and October 2014, 68 infertile male with semen abnormality were asked to join
the present study. Informed consents were signed; all patients were divided into four groups, given placebo (control),
Tamoxifen citrate 20 mg/day, Folate 5 mg/day, and Tamoxifen citrate plus Folate for continuous three months. The result
of treatments i.e., semen parameters, hyaluronan binding assay, hypo-osmotic swelling test, and DNA damage test were
evaluated at baseline, at the end of drugs treatment (3-month), and at 3-month after discontinuation of treatment (6-month).
Results : Tamoxifen alone caused a significant increase in sperm concentration, while Tamoxifen plus Folate significantly
increased both sperm concentration and sperm motility at 3-month after treatment. Folate alone and Tamoxifen plus Folate
significantly decreased DNA tail length at 3-month and at 3- and 6-month after treatment, whereas Tamoxifen alone caused
no significant change in DNA tail length. Sperm DNA integrity was improved as seen by decrease in the length of DNA tail.
Conclusion : Our study indicated that Folate in combination with Tamoxifen citrate could improve sperm quality including
semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity.
Keywords : Infertility, Semen quality, Tamoxifen citrate, Folate
All Articles
Download