Highlights
- •Maca (Lepidium meyenii) has been used as a food supplement and as a medicine for humans and animals to improve sexual function and fertility.
- •Three randomized clinical trials and two uncontrolled observational studies met our inclusion criteria for this systematic review.
- •The review provides suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of maca in improving semen quality.
Abstract
The aim of this review was to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of maca (Lepidium meyenii) in improving semen quality. We searched 11 databases from their inception to March
2016 and included all clinical trials on the improvement of semen quality parameters
in infertile and healthy men, regardless of the study design or the type of maca.
The risk of bias for each study was assessed using the Cochrane criteria. The selection
of studies, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by the first
two authors. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion by the same two authors.
Five studies – 3 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and 2 uncontrolled observational
studies (UOSs) – met all of the inclusion criteria. One RCT found favorable effects
of maca on sperm mobility in infertile men. The two other RCTs showed positive effects
of maca on several semen quality parameters in healthy men. The two UOSs also suggested
favorable effects of maca on semen quality. The results of our systematic review provide
suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of maca in improving semen quality. However,
the total number of trials, the total sample size, and the risk of bias of the included
studies prevent the drawing firm conclusions. More rigorous studies are warranted.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 20, 2016
Accepted:
July 19,
2016
Received in revised form:
July 15,
2016
Received:
April 28,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
