Nutritional Advice El MondoObjectives:
Infertility, which affects ∼15% of the world's population, is a global public health issue recognized by the WHO. Therefore, it is of major clinical and public health importance to investigate whether modifiable lifestyle factors,such as stress, drug use, smoking, alcohol intake and diet may influence human fertility. Therefore, this meta-analysis (systematic review) has been conducted.
What is the effect of supplementation of nutrients on sperm quality parameters?
Study design:
This review article included 28 articles (RCTs) for qualitative analysis and 15 for quantitative meta-analysis.
Results and conclusions:
The investigators found total sperm concentrations were significantly increased by:
-selenium [MD = 3.91 × 106 spz/mL, 95% CI = 3.08 to 4.73 spz/mL];
-zinc [MD = 1.48 × 106 spz/mL, 95% CI = 0.69 to 2.27 spz/mL];
-omega 3 fatty acids [MD = 10.98 × 106 spz/mL, 95% CI = 10.25 to 11.72 spz/mL] and
-coenzyme Q10 [MD = 5.93 × 106 spz/mL, 95% CI = 5.36 to 6.51 spz/mL].
The investigators found sperm counts were significantly increased by:
-omega 3 fatty acids [MD = 18.70 × 106 spz/mL, 95% CI = 16.89 to 20.51 spz/mL] and
-coenzyme Q10 [MD = 10.15 × 106 spz/mL, 95% CI = 8.34 to 11.97 spz/mL].
The investigators found sperm total motility was significantly increased by:
-selenium [MD = 3.30%, 95% CI = 2.95% to 3.65%];
-zinc [MD = 7.03%, 95% CI = 6.03% to 8.03%];
-omega 3 fatty acids [MD = 7.55%, 95% CI = 7.09% to 8.01%];
-coenzyme Q10 [MD = 5.30%, 95% CI = 4.98% to 5.62%] and
-carnitines [MD = 7.84%, 95% CI = 6.54% to 9.13%].
The investigators found sperm progressive motility significantly increased by supplementation with carnitines [MD = 7.45%, 95% CI = 6.24% to 8.67%].
The investigators found sperm morphology was significantly enhanced by:
-selenium [MD = 1.87%, 95% CI = 1.50% to 2.24%];
-omega 3 fatty acid [MD = 0.91%, 95% CI = 0.69% to 1.13%];
-coenzyme Q10 [MD = 1.06%, 95% CI = 0.72% to 1.41%] and
-carnitine [MD = 4.91%, 95% CI = 3.68% to 6.15%].
The investigators concluded evidence from RCTs shows that some dietary supplements beneficially modulate sperm quality parameters and affect male fertility. However, results must be cautiously interpreted due to the limited sample size of the meta-analyzed studies and the considerable observed interstudy heterogeneity.
Original title:
The Effect of Nutrients and Dietary Supplements on Sperm Quality Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials by Salas-Huetos A, Rosique-Esteban N, […], Salas-Salvadó J.
Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30462179
Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on mineral, antioxidants and pregnancy right here.