Male Fertility and Supplementation
Supplements for Male Infertility and Subfertility Issues
Infertility issues impact approximately 15% of all trying-to-conceive couples. Male infertility issues are a contributing factor in about 1/2 of these cases. With numerous studies on vitamins supplements, amino acids, and herbal medicines on the books, medical formulas for the treatment of male infertility and the enhancement of specific sperm parameters (count, morphology, motility) are now based on clear clinical science and established research. Among primary suspected causes of male infertility is seminal oxidative stress (OS). High concentrations of oxidative-stress-causing agents have been identified in 30-80% of infertile men.
Numerous studies now indicate that specific antioxidant supplementation can improve male fertility and sperm health - including a recent independent clinical study on the FertilAid for Men formula. Read more about the FertilAid for Men clinical study.
FertilAid for Men Antioxidant Formula
Much of the formula of FertilAid for Men is based on scientific literature showing how antioxidants prevent oxidative damage to spermatozoa - and enhance the defense mechanisms of seminal plasma which protect and nourish sperm. Central to the FertilAid for Men formula is the blending of key antioxidants, among these vitamin C, selenium, vitamin E, and a particularly potent source of antioxidants, Grapeseed extract. The ingredients are designed to promote healthy sperm count, sperm morphology, and sperm motility, while reducing oxidative damage from agents, free radicals, or biological interactions that causes oxidative stress. As an example, Dr. Grunebaum's FertilAid formula offers 250mg of Vitamin C, which is required to protect sperm from free radical and OS damage. In the FertilAid for Men formula, the amount of vitamin C is two times the amount of other fertility supplement brands (Dawson EB et al. Effects of ascorbic acid on male fertility. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1987; 498: 312-23).
Below is a list of FertilAid for Men ingredients that provide an anti-oxidative function and that have been shown to improve male fertility and sperm parameters in established, peer-reviewed clinical studies. Read specifically about the FertilAid for Men clinical study.
Definition: What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells, tissues, spermatozoa, and seminal plasma from damaging free radicals. The most common antioxidants include vitamins A (beta carotene), C, E, Zinc, and Selenium. FertilAid for Men was designed to improve sperm health and male fertility by integrating these key antioxidants at efficacious dosages.
| Antioxidant |
How it Works to Support Male Fertility and Sperm Health |
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Vitamin E
antioxidant * |
Major chain-breaking antioxidant in membranes. Supports sperm motility, increases sperm count, and reduces lipid peroxidation while increasing viability. |
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Vitamin C
antioxidant ** |
Chain-breaking antioxidant: Protects sperm from free radicals and oxidative stress. Helps recycle vitamin E. Supports male fertility by preventing reductions in sperm motility. |
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L-Carnitine
amino acid |
Amino-acid supports sperm metabolism and provides antioxidative activity. Has been shown to improve several sperm parameters, including sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Click here to read more about L-Carnitine and Sperm Health. |
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Vitamin A
antioxidant |
Vitamins A (beta carotene) is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that plays a key role in repairing damage caused by the environment and aging - and in preventing cellular damage due to oxidizing free radicals. Studies indicate vitamin A supports sperm motility, particularly in concert with other ingredients found in FertilAid for Men. |
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Selenium
antioxidant |
Key antioxidant that may improve sperm motility in concert with other FertilAid for Men ingredients/antioxidants. Reduces oxidative damage from free radicals and may improve sperm motility and concentration. |
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| Grapeseed Extract |
Grapeseed extract is a plant substance that provides a concentrated source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins. These vital antioxidants protect cells from free radical/oxidative damage. Grapeseed extract is high in polyphenols, a compound rich in antioxidants that studies show to be more potent antioxidants than vitamin C and E and beta-carotene. |
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Zinc
antioxidant |
Zinc is a mineral that provides a antioxidative function. Zinc has been shown to to have a positive effect on sperm morphology, sperm motility and testosterone metabolism. |
FertilAid for Men: Supporting Studies on Antioxidants, L-Carnitine, and Sperm Health for Male Infertility
* Aitken & Clarkson, 1988; Aitke et al 1989, Verma & Kanwar, 1998, Donnely et al 1999, Sierens et al 2002
** Verma & Kanwar, 1998 Donnely et al 1999 Sierens et al 2002
Suleimen SA et al. Lipid peroxidation and human sperm motility: protective role of vitamin E. Jour Androl 1996; 17: 530-37.
Kessopoulou E et al. A double-blind randomized placebo cross-over controlled trial using the antioxidant vitamin E to treat reactive oxygen species associated with male infertility. Fertil Steril 1995; 64: 825-31.
Vitali G. et al. Carnitine supplementation in human idiopathic asthenospermia: clinical results. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1995; 21: 157.
Agarwal A, Said TM. Role of sperm chromatin abnormalities and DNA damage in male infertility. Hum Reprod Update 2003; 9: 331-45
Bayer R. Treatment of infertility with vitamin E. Int J Fertil 1960; 5:70–8.
Muller-Tyl E, Lohninger A, Fischl F, Legenstein E, Staniek H, Kaiser E. Effects of carnitine on sperm count and motility. Fertilitat 1988;4(1):1-4.
Micic S. Effects of L-carnitine on sperm motility and number in infertile men [abstract]. In: 16th World Congress on Fertility and Sterility; 1998 Oct 4; San Francisco (CA).
Micic S, Lalic N, Bojanic N, Nale DJ. Carnitine therapy of oligospermic men [abstract]. In: J Androl 25th Annual Meeting program and abstracts; 2000 May 7-11; Boston: American Society of Andrology; 2000. p. 68. Abstract no. 135./li
Netter A et al. Effect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and sperm count. Arch Androl 1981; 7: 69-73.
Fraga CG et al. Ascorbic acid protects against endogenous oxidative DNA damage in human sperm. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1991; 88: 11003-06.
Dawson EB et al. Effects of ascorbic acid on male fertility. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1987; 498: 312-23.
Suleimen SA et al. Lipid peroxidation and human sperm motility: protective role of vitamin E. Jour Androl 1996; 17: 530-37.
Kessopoulou E et al. A double-blind randomized placebo cross-over controlled trial using the antioxidant vitamin E to treat reactive oxygen species associated with male infertility. Fertil Steril 1995; 64: 825-31.
Vitali G. et al. Carnitine supplementation in human idiopathic asthenospermia: clinical results. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1995; 21: 157.
MacPherson SR et al. The effect of oral selenium supplementation on human sperm motility. Br. Jour Urology 1998; 82: 76-80.
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