Male Fertility Factors Improving Sperm Quality and Motility
Can sperm quality be improved?
Yes, sperm quality can definitely be improved. Our approach to male fertility treatment focuses on enhancing various sperm parameters over a period of about four months. This timeframe is crucial because it takes approximately 116 days for sperm to generate. During this period, sperm are particularly vulnerable to factors like toxicity, nutrient deficiency, trauma, illness, and radiation.
It's important to note that sperm are more vulnerable than eggs as they are smaller, more exposed, and continuously developed within the current environment. The good news is that with the right interventions, we can positively influence sperm health.
Sperm parameters that can be improved include:
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most powerful steps you can take to boost your fertility. Whether you're just starting to plan for a baby or have been trying for a while, focusing on weight loss for fertility can significantly improve your chances of conception.
What foods improve sperm quality?
While a balanced diet is crucial for overall health and fertility, certain nutrients are particularly beneficial for sperm quality. Foodsrich in the following nutrients can help improve sperm health:
Antioxidants (Vitamins C and E)
Found in berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, and nuts.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Found in fatty fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
Zinc
Found in oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, and lentils.
Selenium
Found in Brazil nuts, fish, and mushrooms.
Folate (Vitamin B9)
Found in leafy greens, legumes, and fortified grains.
Vitamin D
Found in fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products.
Coenzyme Q10
Found in organ meats, fatty fish, and whole grains.
In addition to diet, our favourite supplements for sperm support include:
We may also formulate you herbal medicine tonic, with herbs such as ginkgo, tribulus, panax ginseng, and sarsaparilla, which can enhance sperm health.
It's important to note that while all these remedies can enhance sperm health, you won’t need every single one!
We will prescribe remedies, based on your specific sperm analysis. This ensures you're getting the most appropriate support for your particular needs.
We consider factors like lifestyle, diet, and environmental exposures to create a comprehensive approach to improving your sperm quality and overall fertility. Remember, with the right support and interventions, many aspects of male fertility can be significantly improved.
Statistical motivation
This information is not meant to scare you, but to make you realize the important role that men play in the conception of a healthy baby and to encourage you to follow the recommended nutritional, herbal and lifestyle advice given to you:
- Leukaemia, asthma, bronchial/respiratory system, mental development/disease in offspring are all linked to the father’s health.
- There is a 10-fold increase in testicular cancer for offspring of men exposed to organic solvents.
- There is a higher rate of respiratory disease, including asthma, particularly associated with the father smoking before conception.
- Miscarriage rates are linked to the health/morphology of sperm.
- Study in Karolinska, Stockholm showed 14% abnormal sperm= 14% miscarriage, 43%abnormal + 84/84% miscarriage.Half the miscarriages in the study were due to the male.
It should be noted that preconception care can make a difference to the risk of age related problems such as miscarriage and congenital defects.
- Research at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto analysed the sperm of men and found DNA damage in men >45 years was double that of men
- Research carried out at a Columbian University, and the Chaim Sheba Medical Centre and Hebrew University in Israel found that children born to men >40 years of age are almost six times more likely to be autistic if Dad is
Thyroid disorders impact male fertility
In men, hyperthyroidism appears to alter sex steroid hormone metabolism, spermatogenesis and fertility. Sperm motility is mainly affected. These abnormalities reverse after restoration to normal thyroid function.1 Most male patients with chronic thyroid disease experience some sexual symptoms, such as premature ejaculation in hyperthyroidism and delayed ejaculation in hypothyroidism. Hypoactive sexual desire and erectile dysfunction can be symptoms in both conditions.2
Pesticide exposure reduces male fertility
In a recent study, strong associations were drawn between pesticide exposure and poor semen quality in men living in American rural areas, compared to men living in urban areas. The researchers report, “This is the first population-based study to demonstrate links between specific biomarkers of environmental exposures and biomarkers of male reproduction in humans.”
My goal is to help you choose appropriate male infertility treatment options to achieve your dream to become parents of a healthy baby. Given the current widespread use of these pesticides… the implications for public health and agricultural practice could be considerable.”3 This study highlights the support we may offer to our male fertility patients by recognising and addressing toxicity with a comprehensive detoxification program.
Healthy sperm are essential for conception
A healthy male ejaculation contains at least 40 million sperm – and yet only one is required to fertilise the ova. So why are so many required?
- Millions of sperm are lost immediately by spilling from the vagina.
- Millions more are destroyed by the cervical mucus.
- Once in the uterus, thousands more are destroyed by uterine contractions or by immune surveillance.
- Only a few thousand sperm reach the fallopian tubes, where half will go the wrong way, leaving the last few hundred to finally reach the waiting egg.
- Many sperm are required to break down the outer defences of the ova so a path can eventually be cleared for one sperm to make contact with the oocyte membrane receptors. As soon as this sperm is accepted by the egg, the entire oocyte membrane potential alters to block the entry of any more sperm, so that the ovum is fertilised by just one sperm.
Start Your Journey Today
At Tonic, we're here to support you every step of the way. With over 35 years combined experience we are sure to have the answers that you are looking for.
Ready to start your journey towards parenthood? Book a consultation with us today, and let's work together to give you the best possible start!
We also offer a free 15 minute consultation, this allows you to sound us out, see if you feel that we are a good fit for you!
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References
1. Krassas GE, Pontikides N. Male reproductive function in relation with thyroid alterations. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 18(2): 183-95
2. Carani C, et al. Multicentre study on the prevalence of sexual symptoms in male hypo- and hyperthyroid patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005; 90(12): 6472-9
3. Swan SH, Kruse RL, Liu F, Barr DB, Drobnis EZ, Redmon JB, Wang C, Brazil C, Overstreet JW; Study for Future Families Research Group. Semen quality in relation to biomarkers of pesticide exposure. Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Sep;111(12):1478-84