The effects of 8-week creatine supplementation with and without ubiquinol on sperm quality biomarkers in normospermic and oligospermic men: A randomized controlled pilot trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 41052075 · doi:10.1177/02601060251385000
What was done
A randomized, placebo-controlled exploratory pilot trial evaluated the effects of an 8-week supplementation regimen of creatine alone or creatine combined with ubiquinol versus placebo on sperm quality biomarkers. A total of 15 men (mean age 25.0 ± 6.1 years, BMI 25.1 ± 2.0 kg/m²; including 5 with oligospermia) were randomized, completed the intervention, and were evaluated for spermiogram parameters, sperm biochemical markers, WHO-5 well-being index scores, and adverse effects.
What was found
Creatine-plus-ubiquinol resulted in a non-significant average rise in sperm concentration of 7.4 million/mL (P = 0.22). Six of ten participants receiving creatine with or without ubiquinol (60%) had improved sperm concentration versus 20% in the control group (P ≤ 0.05). All oligospermic men receiving creatine or creatine-plus-ubiquinol showed improved sperm concentration versus unchanged or decreased values in controls (P ≤ 0.05). Sperm creatine concentration increased significantly by 125.4 µmol/L (35.8%, P = 0.03) in the creatine-plus-ubiquinol group. Values for motility, morphology, WHO-5 scores, and adverse effects were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This pilot trial provides early human evidence that creatine supplementation, particularly with ubiquinol, increases sperm creatine levels and may support sperm concentration in oligospermic men.
Limits
The sample size was very small (n = 15 total, only 5 oligospermic men), creating substantial risk of imprecision. Supplement dosages, detailed spermiogram parameters (motility, morphology), and adverse event rates were not reported in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Research by Sergej Ostojic shows creatine supplementation does not downregulate sperm production and instead improves sperm vitality and motility.