Background: Theophylline acts as a cyclic-AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor which elevates cAMP dependent sperm motility. It is used in treatment of male infertility, including asthenoteratozoospermia. The aim of this study was to evaluate any possible effect of theophylline on sperm characteristics,TNF- α (Tumor Necrosis Factor) and ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) levels in seminal plasma of asthenoteratozoospermic men. Methods: 120 infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia were allocated to this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Placebo, and theophylline (200 mg/day) groups were administered twice a day for 3 months. Two semen samples (one before and one after the theophylline therapy) were evaluated under double-blind condition. Semen parameters, TNF-α and ROS levels (by human TNF-α ELISA kit and Chemiluminescence assay- Agarwal, respectively) of seminal plasma were analyzed (pre and post intervention) for each sample. The study data was analyzed using T-Test setting and means difference was considered significant at p<0.05. Results: Theophylline increased significantly the mean sperm count and normal morphology in the men with asthenoteratozoospermia compared to preadministration. Theophylline was significantly effective on the progressive motility of sperm (P<0.01). Based on the results, mean concentration of TNF-α in the seminal plasma was significantly increased in patients treated with theophylline compared to preadministration. Moreover, ROS levels in seminal plasma of patients with asthenoteratozoospermia decreased significantly compared to before administration of theophylline. Conclusion: Although our results demonstrate that oral therapy of theophylline significantly increase the quality of sperm, especially motility from infertile men with asthenoteratozoospermia, but more molecular studies are needed to elucidate the safety of theophylline administration.
