Quality and quantity count when it comes to sperm and male fertility. Good male fertility is dependent on sperm quantity, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ideally, men need more than 20 million sperm in one milliliter of semen to be considered fertile, the Mayo Clinic explains. Many factors influence sperm counts, and some vitamins, including vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, zinc and folate, may be able to improve the numbers.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is necessary for normal growth and development. It plays a role in the synthesis of tissue and also acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin C also improves sperm counts. A study published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" looked into semen quality in infertile men after supplementation with vitamin C. The men were given 1000 mg of vitamin C twice a day for two months. At the end of the study sperm counts in the infertile men increased from 14 million per milliliter to 32 million per milliliter. Vitamin C rich foods include oranges, orange juice, green peppers, white potatoes, strawberries and tomatoes.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is necessary for normal cell function. Young men produce enough coenzyme Q10 to meet their needs, but as they age production slows down, according to Medline Plus. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation has been linked to sperm health. A 2009 study published in the "Journal of Urology" investigated the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on sperm function in infertile men. The men were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg of coenzyme Q10 or a placebo for 26 weeks. The men receiving the coenzyme Q10 supplement showed significant improvements in sperm counts. The authors of the study however concluded more research is necessary before formal recommendations can be made.
Zinc and Folate
Zinc plays a role in a number of enzymatic and biological processes. It is also an important component of the immune system and wound healing. Zinc is also important for the growth of normal sperm cells and infertility, according to Medline Plus. Folate helps produce and maintain new cells. It is also needed to make DNA and RNA. A 2002 study published in "Fertility and Sterility" investigated the effects of folate and zinc supplementation on sperm counts in men having difficulty conceiving because of low sperm counts. The men were given 5 mg of folate and 66 mg of zinc each day for 26 weeks. At the end of the study, sperm count had increased by 74 percent in the men with low sperm counts.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Healthy Sperm: Improving Your Fertility
- Medline Plus: Vitamin C
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Improvement in human semen quality after oral supplementation of vitamin C; M. Akmal; 2006
- "Journal of Urology"; Efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 on Semen Parameters, Sperm Function, and Reproductive Hormones in Infertile Men; M.R. Safarinejad; 2009
- Medline Plus: Coenzyme Q10
