Male Fertility
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25 % of infertility is calculated to be directly due to the male partner and another
15 to 25 % probably also has a male contribution
www.fertilityassociates.co.nz.
It is important to note that a population study looking at men’s fertility found
that those men that succeeded in fathering a child had a motility rate of more than
63%.
Sperm is evaluated into the following categories;
aspermia (absence of ejaculate)
asthenospermia (poor motility and forward movement)
azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen)
oligospermia (lowered sperm density)
teratospermia (containing bizarre and immature forms)
antisperm antibodies
Acupuncture
In a study involving 40 men with sperm problems of unknown origin (oligospermia,
asthenospermia, or teratozoospermia) acupuncture was used on 28 men twice a week
for 5 weeks and compared to the men who received no treatment. Quantitative analysis
by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to evaluate the samples.
Following acupuncture, a statistically significant increase in the percentage and
number of sperm in the total ejaculate was observed (in comparison with controls),
with improvements in the shape of the acrosome and nucleus.
The median percentage of progressive motility in ejaculate increased from 44.5%
to 55% following acupuncture treatment.
No change in specific pathologies, such as apoptosis (cell death), necrosis (dead
or motionless spermatozoa) or sperm immaturity, however, was apparent.
The authors concluded that "In conjunction with ART or even for reaching natural
fertility potential, acupuncture treatment is a simple, noninvasive method that
can improve sperm quality."
Fertility and Sterility. 2005;84:141-147
Dietary changes that may be helpful
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with a decrease in the percentage of
normal sperm.
A Danish study of greenhouse workers found an unexpectedly high sperm count among
organic farmers. Their sperm count was more than twice as high in these men
as in a control group of blue-collar workers. Suggesting that organically grown
foods may enhance fertility.
Abell A, Ernst E, Bonde JP. High sperm density among members of organic farmers’
association. Lancet 1994;343:1498.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful
The optimal temperature of the testes for sperm production is slightly lower than
body temperature, which is why the testes hang away from the body in the scrotum.
Men with low sperm counts are frequently advised to minimize lifestyle factors that
may overheat the testes, such as wearing tight (e.g., “bikini-style”) underwear,
frequently using spas and hot baths or using a lap top computer directly on their
knees.
Environmental exposures, smoking, and use of recreational drugs (e.g., marijuana,
cocaine, hashish) may reduce sperm count or cause abnormal sperm morphology (shape).
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful
Vitamin C protects sperm from oxidative damage Supplementation
with 200–1,000 mg per day increased the fertility of men with this condition in
a controlled study. Many doctors recommend 1 gram of vitamin C per day for infertile
men, particularly those diagnosed with sperm agglutination.
Zinc deficiency. Studies have shown that oral zinc supplementation
improves both sperm count motility, and the physical characteristics of sperm in
some groups of infertile men. A preliminary trial found that zinc supplements (240
mg per day) increased sperm counts and possibly contributed to successful impregnation
by 3 of the 11 men. In a controlled trial, 100 men with low sperm motility received
either 57 mg of zinc twice daily or a placebo. After three months, there was significant
improvement in sperm quality, sperm count, sperm motility, and fertilizing capacity
of the sperm. The ideal amount of supplemental zinc remains unknown, but some doctors
recommend 30 mg two times per day. Long-term zinc supplementation requires 1–2 mg
of copper per day to prevent copper deficiency.
Arginine, an amino acid found in many foods, is needed to produce
sperm. Research, most of which is preliminary, shows that several months of L-arginine
supplementation increases sperm count, quality, and fertility. However, when the
initial sperm count was extremely low (such as less than 10 million per ml), L-arginine
supplementation produced little or no benefit. For infertile men with sperm counts
greater than 10 million per milliliter, many doctors recommend up to 4 grams of
L-arginine per day for several months. In a double-blind study of infertile men
with reduced sperm motility, supplementation with selenium (100 mcg per day for
three months) significantly increased sperm motility, but had no effect on sperm
count. Eleven percent of 46 men receiving selenium achieved paternity, compared
with none of 18 men receiving a placebo.
L-carnitine is a substance made in the body and also found in supplements
and some foods (such as meat). It appears to be necessary for normal functioning
of sperm cells. In preliminary studies, supplementing with 3–4 grams per day for
four months helped to normalize sperm motility in men with low sperm quality.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a nutrient used by the body in the production
of energy. There is evidence that as little as 10 mg per day (over a two-week period)
will increase sperm count and motility.
Vitamin E deficiency in animals leads to infertility. In a preliminary
human trial, 100–200 IU of vitamin E given daily to both partners of infertile couples
led to a significant increase in fertility.
Information obtained from
http://www.dml.co.nz/yourtest/seminalfluid.asp
http://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Concern/Infertility_Male.htm#Herb-Options