The Effect of Nutrients and Dietary Supplements on Sperm Quality Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Salas-Huetos A, Rosique-Esteban N, Becerra-Tomás N, Vizmanos B
Published in Advances in Nutrition
Methodology
Systematic review of 28 randomized clinical trials with meta-analysis of 15, assessing nutrients and supplements against semen parameters
Key Findings
Sperm concentration rose with selenium (+3.91 x 10^6/mL), zinc (+1.48), omega-3 (+10.98) and CoQ10 (+5.93). Total motility improved with selenium (+3.30%), zinc (+7.03%), omega-3 (+7.55%), CoQ10 (+5.30%) and carnitines (+7.84%); progressive motility improved only with carnitines (+7.45%). Morphology improved with selenium, omega-3, CoQ10 and carnitine.
Conclusions
Several micronutrients measurably improve semen parameters, though the trials measured laboratory endpoints rather than pregnancy or live birth.
Limitations
Small heterogeneous trials, surrogate endpoints, potential publication bias
Supplements Studied
Total sperm concentrations were increased by ... zinc (1.48 x 10^6 spz/mL; 0.69, 2.27 spz/mL)
Sperm morphology was enhanced by ... carnitine (4.91%; 3.68%, 6.15%) supplementation
Sperm progressive motility was increased only after supplementation with carnitines (7.45%; 6.24%, 8.67%)
Sperm counts were increased by ... CoQ10 supplementation (10.15 x 10^6 spz/mL; 8.34, 11.97 spz/mL)
Sperm counts were increased by omega-3 fatty acids (18.70 x 10^6 spz/mL; 16.89, 20.51 spz/mL)
Total sperm concentrations were increased by selenium (3.91 x 10^6 spz/mL; 3.08, 4.73 spz/mL)
Outcomes Measured
Sperm total motility was increased by selenium (3.30%; 2.95%, 3.65%), zinc (7.03%; 6.03%, 8.03%), omega-3 fatty acids (7.55%; 7.09%, 8.01%), CoQ10 (5.30%; 4.98%, 5.62%), and carnitines (7.84%; 6.54%, 9.13%)
Study Details
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