Cause: Can be hormonal or caused by blockage in the reproductive tract.

Useful Supplements: Arginine, Carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, SAM, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc.

Further information: Infertility is characterized by an inability to become pregnant after a long period (six months to a year) of unprotected intercourse. Infertility has a large number of causes, many of which require direct medical intervention (such as blockage preventing sperm from being released during ejaculation). While the suggestions in this section may be helpful in enhancing fertility, any concerns about infertility should be discussed with a health care professional.
A healthy diet may help promote fertility in men. Alcohol consumption may lower fertility. Smoking can lessen sperm quality.¹ While it is not certain that caffeine intake affects male fertility, a healthier body is more likely to produce healthy sperm.

The following supplements may be helpful in the treatment of male infertility:

The amino acid Arginine is needed in the production of sperm. It appears that several months of supplementation can increase sperm count and quantity,² possibly increasing fertility as a result.³ Arginine should not be taken by men with kidney or liver disease (including hepatitis), or by those with a known Herpes infection (including cold sores).

Carnitine appears to be needed by sperm cells for normal functioning. Supplementation appears to increase sperm count.⁴

Coenzyme Q10, taken in a dose of 10 mg daily, increases sperm count and motility (movement).⁵ Heart patients should only take Coenzyme Q10 under a health provider’s recommendation, as a sudden halt in this supplementation could cause severe heart problems.

Preliminary studies show that SAM, taken orally, may increase sperm activity.⁶ SAM should not be taken by anyone with bipolar disorder (manic-depression) without consulting a medical professional.

Vitamin B12 injections have been shown to increase sperm count in men with low sperm numbers.⁷

Vitamin C, a natural antioxidant, protects sperm from oxidative damage,⁸ and also improves sperm quality in smokers.⁹ It is also effective in treating sperm agglutination,¹⁰ a condition which causes sperm to stick together. 1 gram of Vitamin C, taken daily, helps to increase fertility in men who have problems with sperm agglutination.¹¹

Vitamin E deficiency causes infertility in animals.¹² Supplementation in humans causes increased fertility.¹³

Zinc deficiency can cause low testosterone levels.¹⁴ Zinc supplementation can raise testosterone levels and help increase fertility.¹⁵ It also appears to increase sperm count in men who previously had low sperm count numbers.¹⁶ Men with Type 1 diabetes should not take Zinc supplements without consulting a medical professional.

Lycopene: Preliminary data suggest that lycopene, 2 mg twice daily, may increase male fertility. Improvement in sperm concentration and activity were noted. 17

References:

¹Dawson EB, Harris WA, Teter MC, Powell LC. Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers. Fertil Steril 1992;58:1034–9.
²de Aloysio D, Mantuano R, Mauloni M, Nicoletti G. The clinical use of arginine aspartate in male infertility. Acta Eur Fertil 1982;13:133–67.
³Schacter A et al. Treatment of oligospermia with the amino acid arginine. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1973;11:206–9.
⁴Costa M, Canale D, Filicori M, et al. L-carnitine in idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a multicenter study. Andrologia 1994;26:155–9.
⁵Tanimura 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.
⁶Piacentino 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].
⁷Kumamoto Y, Maruta H, Ishigami J, et al. Clinical efficacy of mecobalamin in treatment of oligozoospermia. Acta Urol Jpn 1988;34:1109–32.
⁸Fraga CG, Motchnik PA, Shigenaga MK, et all. Ascorbic acid protects against endogenous oxidative DNA damage in human sperm. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1991;88:11003–6.
⁹Dawson EB, Harris WA, Teter MC, Powell LC. Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers. Fertil Steril 1992;58:1034–9.
¹⁰Dawson EB, Harris WA, McGanity WJ. Effect of ascorbic acid on sperm fertility. Fed Proc 1983;42:531 [abstr 31403].
¹¹Dawson 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].
¹²Thiessen DD et al. Vitamin E and sex behavior in mice. Nutr Metabol 1975;18:116–9.
¹³Bayer R. Treatment of infertility with vitamin E. Int J Fertil 1960;5:70–8.
¹⁴Hunt 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.
¹⁵Netter A, Hartoma R, Nahoul K. Effect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and sperm count. Arch Androl 1981;7:69–73.
¹⁶Marmar JL et al. Semen zinc levels in infertile and postvasectomy patients and patients with prostatitis. Fertil Steril 1975:26:1057–63.
¹⁷Kumar R, Gupta NP. Presentation to Indian Association of Urologists. January 2001