Research Shows That Q10 Coenzyme Benefits Male Fertility By Improving Sperm Motility And Protection From Oxidative Stress
Ubiquinone, commonly called Q10 coenzyme, just Q10 or CoQ10, is a vitaminoid. This is a compound that acts like a vitamin. However, it is unable to be produced by the body. CoQ10 must be sourced from diet to meet the body’s requirements.
CoQ10 is oil-soluble and found within the mitochondria of most eukaryotic cells. It is needed for producing ATP to energize the body. Coenzyme Q10 is also an antioxidant. It assists in the preservation of vitamin C and E within the body.
Clinical Study: Coenzyme Q10 May Enhance Sperm Quality
A 2009 study by Safarinejad found that Coenzyme Q10 supplementation can positively influence certain semen parameters. Over a 6 week period, 212 oligoasthenoteratospermia (combined low sperm count and motility) infertile men received either a placebo or 300mg of CoQ10 per day[1]“Safarinejad, M. (2009). Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters, sperm function and reproductive hormones in infertile men, The Journal of Urology, Volume 182, Issue 1, (pp. 237-28).”.
Results
The study found that
- Recipients of Coenzyme Q10 exhibited statistically significant improvements in sperm density, morphology, and motility compared with the control group.
This study supports the use of CoQ10 supplementation for helping to improve male fertility. Especially men with low fertility respond positively to this vitaminoid.
Clinical Study: Sperm Motility Requires Coenzyme Q10
The mitochondria (energy centers) in the sperm cell’s mid-piece contain high concentrations of Coenzyme Q10. This helps them generate energy for forward motion.
Scientists have subsequently found a correlation between CoQ10 supplementation and healthy sperm motility. In a series of studies conducted over a 6 month period, infertile males affected by idiopathic asthenozoospermia (low sperm motility with no diagnosible cause) were administered between 200-300 mg/day of CoQ10[2]“Mancini, A. and Balercia, G. (2011). Coenzyme Q(10) in male infertility: physiopathology and therapy. Biofactors, Volume 37, Issue 5, (pp374-80).”.
Results
The study found that
- After 6 months, the concentration of CoQ10 significantly increased within both the sperm cells and seminal plasma.
- Sperm motility also improved significantly.
Fertilisation rates may be enhanced by taking CoQ10 supplements. Healthy motility can improve forward movement and cervical mucus penetration. This can increase the likelihood of fertilisation.
Clinical Study: Coenzyme Q10 May Improve IVF Success
In a study by Lewin and Lavon in 1997, 38 samples of asthenospermic and normal motile sperm were studied in vitro to determine the effects of CoQ10 supplementation in vivo[3]“Lewin, A. and Lavon H. (1997).The effect of coenzyme Q10 on sperm motility and function. Molecular Aspects of Medicine, Volume 18, (pp.13-9).”. For a mean of 103 days, 60 mg/day of coenzyme Q10 was administered to 17 participants. These patients had low fertilization rates following IVF treatments with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). All sperm samples had normal morphology and concentration.
Results
The study found that
- Sperm analysis following CoQ10 supplementation showed enhanced motility.
- Subsequent fertilisation rates improved.
The process of IVF can degrade sperm quality. In-vitro incubation and centrifugation lowers sperm quality. However, this research shows that supplementation with CoQ10 may help to better protect healthy sperm motility during IVF treatments.
Reducing Oxidative Stress With Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation
CoQ10 is an important antioxidant. This compound can help to decrease the oxidative stress that damages sperm DNA[4]“Sheweita, A. et.al. (2005). Mechanisms of male infertility: role of antioxidants, Current Drug Metabolism, Volume 6, Issue 5, (pp.495-501).”.
A recent in-vitro study investigated the effects of CoenzymeQ10, zinc, and D-aspartate on sperm health[5]“Talevi, R. et.al. (2013). Protective effects of in vitro treatment with zinc, d-aspartate and coenzyme q10 on human sperm motility, lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation. Reproductive Biology … Continue reading. Semen samples were collected from forty-four patients aged between 23 and 30. Twenty-four patients had normal sperm parameters and twenty participants were oligospermic (low sperm count). Sperm kinetics and progressive motility were assessed using lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, and computer assisted analysis.
Results
The study found that
- In-vitro treatment with CoenzymeQ10, zinc, and D-aspartate maintained progressive sperm motility in both the oligospermic and normospermic samples. Percentage of healthy sperm concentration was also maintained.
- Samples not treated with CoenzymeQ10, zinc, and D-aspartate had a reduction in healthy sperm and motility.
- CoenzymeQ10, zinc, and D-aspartate treatments prevented a decline in sperm kinetics within oligospermic samples. Spermatozoa had increased lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation int he control group, who did not benefit from the CoenzymeQ10, zinc, and D-aspartate mix.
This study further confirms that CoQ10, together with zinc and D-aspartate, has a direct positive effect on sperm. This combination therapy prevented a decline in sperm motility and increased DNA protection by increasing antioxidant activity.
Foods Rich in Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 rich foods include nuts, broccoli, garlic, peas, chicken, eggs, spinach, and fish such as tuna, sardines, and herring.
Summary
A well-studied vitaminoid, coenzyme Q10 is necessary for protecting healthy sperm. This compound reduces oxidative stress and supports sperm motility. Low concentrations of coenzyme Q10 may decrease male fertility. Taking supplements containing coenzyme Q10 could help to improve sperm quality.
Using CoenzymeQ10 to Improve Male Fertility
Q10 coenzyme is a powerful male fertility enhancing nutrient, but it is also just one of several so called fertility-miconutrients. While Q10 positively affects sperm count and motility, it does not increase sperm morphology (statistical quality of shapes).
Clinical research studies have consistently shown that
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We have therefore compared all of the top male fertility combination supplements in a transparent, side-by-side evaluation.
VIDEO: How to improve sperm naturally with food
More Sperm Motility-Enhancing Male Fertility Nutrients
Bibliography
Dr. Kooner is Deputy Director of The Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago and has been a Specialist in Fertility Treatment since 1999.
As well as the areas that the clinic specialises in general, he is particularly interested in managing oocyte donation, female same-sex couples, single women having sperm donation and those considering egg freezing.
Dr. Kooner regularly speaks at fertility meetings. He has published in national journals and constantly contributes to the fertility research and publications from Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago.
References
| ↑1 | “Safarinejad, M. (2009). Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 on semen parameters, sperm function and reproductive hormones in infertile men, The Journal of Urology, Volume 182, Issue 1, (pp. 237-28).” |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | “Mancini, A. and Balercia, G. (2011). Coenzyme Q(10) in male infertility: physiopathology and therapy. Biofactors, Volume 37, Issue 5, (pp374-80).” |
| ↑3 | “Lewin, A. and Lavon H. (1997).The effect of coenzyme Q10 on sperm motility and function. Molecular Aspects of Medicine, Volume 18, (pp.13-9).” |
| ↑4 | “Sheweita, A. et.al. (2005). Mechanisms of male infertility: role of antioxidants, Current Drug Metabolism, Volume 6, Issue 5, (pp.495-501).” |
| ↑5 | “Talevi, R. et.al. (2013). Protective effects of in vitro treatment with zinc, d-aspartate and coenzyme q10 on human sperm motility, lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, Volume 16, Issue 11, (pp.81).” |
| ↑6 | ”https://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/content/14/3/243.full” |
| ↑7 | ”Imhof, Martin et al., “Improvement of sperm quality after micronutritient supplementation” |
