Effect of Sesame on Sperm Parameters in Infertile Men: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Male idiopathic infertility is characterized by abnormal semen parameters, including sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Various hormonal and experimental therapies are employed to address this condition. Objectives: This study investigates the effect of sesame on sperm concentration, morphology, and motility in infertile men compared to combination drug therapy. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 80 infertile men with abnormal semen parameters, referred to the infertility clinics of Fatemieh Hospital and Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, Iran, were included. Participants were divided into two groups: One receiving combination drug therapy (e.g., FertilAid, n = 40) and the other receiving black sesame seeds (30 g/day, n = 40). Semen parameters were evaluated before and three months after treatment using Computer-assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests, with a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Post-intervention, sperm motility was 42.6 ± 9.23% in the sesame group vs. 44.02 ± 6.61% in the combination drug group (P = 0.43), concentration was 33.82 ± 10.8 million/mL vs. 46.57 ± 9.62 million/mL (P < 0.001), and morphology was 27.22 ± 10.23% vs. 28 ± 7.59% (P = 0.58). Within-group analysis showed significant improvements in all parameters for both groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Both sesame and combination drug therapy improved sperm parameters, with combination drugs showing greater efficacy in enhancing sperm count and motility, while sesame significantly improved morphology.