Antioxidants and Male Fertility

Oxidation and Male Infertility

It is a well established health fact that antioxidants play an important role in helping to prolong life. Now there seems to be evidence that it is effective in creating life as well. Antioxidants may play a crucial role in helping male fertility.

Infertility affects one in seven couples universally, and the numbers indicate that about 50% of the issues concern male fertility. Much of male infertility has to do with oxidative stress on sperm cells which lowers the quality and quantity of sperm. It follows then, that using antioxidant supplements could help reverse the problem.

Oxidation is caused by free radicals that are released into the body after oxygen has been used by the cells. These rampant byproducts are implicated in a number of diseases and disorders, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, macular degeneration and now, it appears to be linked to male infertility as well.

The Role of Antioxidants

Antioxidants, as their name implies, are molecules that are capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. These wonder molecules are found in certain vitamins, including vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene - all found in many brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Zinc, L-carnitine, and selenium are also up there on the list of effective antioxidants. They are all available in supplement form, although as always, it is better if you can get the vitamins from a food source rather than a pill.

Reviewing the Studies - Antioxidants Just Might Work

A recent review of 34 studies that involved close to 3,000 couples undergoing fertility treatments, including IVF and IUI (the most common therapies used when sperm-related issue are involved), indicated a positive link between men taking antioxidants and positive results of treatment.

The study was lead by researcher Marian Showell of the University of Auckland in New Zealand and she said, "Oral supplementation with antioxidants may go some way to improve a couple's chance of conception." The New Zealand team stopped short of saying that antioxidants actually improve fertility stating that more research is required.

The study looked at published randomized control trials comparing any type or dose of antioxidant supplement taken by the male partner of a couple seeking fertility assistance to a placebo, no treatment or another antioxidant. In 15 of these trials, there were 96 total pregnancies reported. The pregnancy rate was four times higher in couples where the men took antioxidants than that of couples where the man did not take antioxidants. When it came to live births, there were three trials used and the rate was five times higher for men taking antioxidants. The finding was based on relatively small numbers, 20 live births, which makes the impact less effective than if the numbers were significantly larger.

L-Carnitine (Eat Your Tomatoes)

In another study published in the National Journal of Andrology, the nutritional agent L-carnitine was assessed on its effectiveness for men with asthenospermia (lack of motility). The three month study treated half the men with 2 grams of L-carnitine each day along with some vitamin E and the other half took only vitamin E. Sperm motility rose from 29 percent to 45 percent in those taking the L-carnitine and the rate of pregnancy in this group was around 31 percent. In the group that did not take the L-carnitine, the pregnancy rate was 3.8 percent.

Vitamin C and Zinc

Other antioxidants, vitamin C and zinc have been tested and found to have promise for male fertility. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that vitamin C seems to help prevent sperm from sticking together and also increases the percentage of normal sperm. In the Medical Principles and Practice journal, zinc supplementation was shown to improve sperm motility.