Male Infertility - Low Sperm Count

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Infertility is defined by doctors as the failure of a couple to achieve pregnancy after a year of unprotected intercourse. In men, infertility is usually associated with a decrease in the number or quality of sperm. There are multiple possible underlying causes for this. Some of the causes of infertility readily respond to natural medicine, while others do not. The specific cause of infertility should always be diagnosed by a physician before considering possible solutions.

Lifestyle changes that may be helpful: Some conventional medications can interfere with fertility. If in doubt, individuals taking prescription drugs should consult their physician.

Low Sperm Count

In a study performed in India recently, Lycopene supplementation proved to be beneficial to couples who try for the first time to get pregnant are not successful, due to unspecified male infertility problems. In this study, 50 men with low sperm counts were selected to receive lycopene supplements twin a day for three months.

Within nine months after starting the lycopene supplements, 36% of the couples became pregnant. Within the 50 men, 70% had an increase in sperm concentration and 58% had an increase in sperm motility.

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful

Vitamin C protects sperm from oxidative damage.¹ Supplementing vitamin C improves the quality of sperm in smokers.² When sperm stick together (a condition called agglutination), fertility is reduced. Vitamin C reduces sperm agglutination,³ increasing the fertility of men with this condition.⁴ Many doctors of natural medicine recommend 1 gram of vitamin C per day for infertile men, particularly those diagnosed with sperm agglutination.

A lack of zinc can reduce testosterone levels.⁵ For men with low testosterone levels, zinc supplementation raises testosterone and also increases fertility.⁶ For men with low semen zinc levels, zinc supplements may increase both sperm counts and fertility.⁷ Most studies have infertile men take zinc supplements for at least several months. The ideal amount of supplemental zinc remains unknown, but some doctors of natural medicine recommend 25 mg three times per day

Arginine is an amino acid found in many foods; it is needed to produce sperm. Most research shows that several months of arginine supplementation increases sperm count and quality^{8 9} and also fertility.^{10 11} However, some studies have reported that arginine helps few,¹² if any, infertile men.¹³ Nonetheless, many doctors of natural medicine suggest 4 grams of arginine per day for several months to see if it will help infertile men. Click here for more infor.

Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient used by the body in the production of energy. While its exact role in the formation of sperm is unknown, there is evidence that as little as 10 mg per day (over a two-week period) will increase sperm count and motility.¹⁴

Vitamin E deficiency in animals leads to infertility.¹⁵ In a preliminary human trial, 100–200 IU of vitamin E given to each man and woman of infertile couples led to a significant increase in fertility.¹⁶

Vitamin B12 is needed to maintain fertility. Vitamin B12 injections have increased sperm counts for men with low numbers of sperm.¹⁷ These results have been duplicated in double blind research.¹⁸ Men seeking B12 injections should consult a nutritionally oriented physician.

Carnitine is a substance made in the body and also found in supplements. It appears to be necessary for normal functioning of sperm cells. In studies, supplementing with 3–4 grams per day for four months has helped to normalize sperm motility in men with low sperm quality.^{19 20}

Preliminary research suggests oral SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) may increase sperm activity in infertile men.²¹

Product Recommendations

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	Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is produced naturally in the adrenal glands. Your body's production peaks at about age 25 and declines as you age. DHEA has been propsed to increase production of testosterone ICF-1 (inulin like growth factor-1), strengthen the immune system and increase mental alertness. On Sale Now
	Two recent clinical trials have shown that a synergistic combination of Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate, Magnesium Aspartate, and Vitamin B₆ can significantly increase testosterone levels and improve healthy hotmone products. The novel Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate formula may also help to increase endurance, healing, growth and restful sleep.
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Yohimbe 1000 mg. On Sale Now	Researchers at Valparaiso University in Indiana found that yohimbine had more beneficial effects on most aspects of sexual response in men with erectile dysfunction than in sexually functional men, including an increase in the frequency of sexual activity and increased sexual arousal and erectile.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.

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References:
1. Fraga CG, Motchnik PA, Shigenaga MK, et al. Ascorbic acid protects against endogenous oxidative DNA damage in human sperm. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1991;88:11003–6. 2. Dawson EB, Harris WA, Teter MC, Powell LC. Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers. Fertil Steril 1992;58:1034–39. 3. Dawson EB, Harris WA, McGanity WJ. Effect of ascorbic acid on sperm fertility. Fed Proc 1983;42:531 [abstr 31403]. 4. Dawson EB, Harris WA, Powell LC. Relationship between ascorbic acid and male fertility. In: Aspects of Some Vitamins, Minerals and Enzymes in Health and Disease, ed. GH Bourne. World Rev Nutr Diet 1990;62:1–26 [review]. 5. Hunt CD, Johnson PE, Herbel JoL, Mullen LK. Effects of dietary zinc depletion on seminal volume and zinc loss, serum testosterone concentrations, and sperm morphology in young men. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:148–57. 6. Netter A, Hartoma R, Nahoul K. Effect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and sperm count. Arch Androl 1981;7:69–73. 7. Marmar JL et al. Semen zinc levels in infertile and postvasectomy patients and patients with prostatitis. Fertil Steril 1975:26:1057–63. 8. De Aloysio D, Mantuano R, Mauloni M, Nicoletti G. The clinical use of arginine aspartate in male infertility. Acta Eur Fertil 1982;13:133–67. 9. Tanimura J. Studies on arginine in human semen. Part II. The effects of medication with L-arginine-HCl on male infertility. Bull Osaka Med School 1967;13:84–89. 10. Schacter A, Goldman JA, Zukerman Z. Treatment of oligospermia with the amino acid arginine. J Urol 1973;110:311–13. 11. Schacter A et al. Treatment of oligospermia with the amino acid arginine. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1973;11:206–9. 12. Mroueh A. Effect of arginine on oligospermia. Fertil Steril 1970:21:217–19. 13. Pryor JP, Blandy JP, Evans P, Chaput De Saintonge DM, Usherwood M. Controlled clinical trial of arginine for infertile men with oligozoospermia. Brit J Urol 1978;50:47–50. 14. Tanimura J. Studies on arginine in human semen. Part III. The influences of several drugs on male infertility. Bull Osaka Med School 1967;13:90–100. 15. Thiessen DD et al. Vitamin E and sex behavior in mice. Nutr Metabol 1975;18:116–19. 16. Bayer R. Treatment of infertility with vitamin E. Int J Fertil 1960;5:70–78. 17. Sandler B, Faragher B. Treatment of oligospermia with vitamin B12. Infertil 1984;7:133–38. 18. Kumamoto Y, Maruta H, Ishigami J, et al. Clinical efficacy of mecobalamin in treatment of oligozoospermia. Acta Urol Jpn 1988;34:1109–32. 19. Costa M, Canale D, Filicori M, et al. L-carnitine in idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a multicenter study. Andrologia 1994;26:155–59. 20. Vitali G, Parente R, Melotti C. Carnitine supplementation in human idiopathic asthenospermia: clinical results. Drugs Exptl Clin Res 1995;21:157–59. 21. Piacentino R, Malara D, Zaccheo F, et al. Preliminary study of the use of s. adenosyl methionine in the management of male sterility. Minerva Ginecologica 1991;43:191–93 [in Italian].

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