the effect of saffron on semen analysis in infertile men with clinical varicocele after varicocelectomy

Background: infertility affects 15% of couples and varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility. oxidative stress is recommended as a possible mechanism of infertility. crocus sativus (saffron) has been recognized as having antioxidative properties and is presumed to improve sperm parameters. objectives: the present study aims to evaluate the effect of saffron on semen analysis of infertile men with clinical varicocele after varicocelectomy. methods: in this randomized clinical trial, 48 infertile men candidates for varicocelectomy were randomly assigned to receive 60 mg edible saffron capsules once every other day (n = 27) or a similar regimen of placebo (n = 21) for 6 months. the two groups were compared for changes in semen parameters. results: there was no significant difference between groups in semen parameters before treatment as well as in semen volume, morphology, and sperm count post-treatment, but motility was significantly higher in the saffron group (30.00±14.46 vs. 21.71± 11.45; p = 0.03). there was one (3.7%) complication in the saffron group. conclusions: our resultsshowedthat except improving sperm motility, saffron hasnoeffectonothersemenparameters in infertile men with clinical varicocele after varicocelectomy.