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Causes & Development; Risk Factors
Causes for male infertility (low sperm count) include tight-fitting jeans and underwear that heat the scrotum and testes, thereby inhibiting sperm production. Very hot baths may hasten the death of sperm. Environmental pollution from cigarette smoke, heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), pesticides, solvents, toxic chemicals, aflatoxin (a fungus found on peanuts and grains), and synthetic estrogens in poultry and dairy feed all interfere with sperm formation and protection. In a study of 100 males, aflatoxin levels in infertile men were 60% higher than in fertile men.
Marginal zinc status is associated with poor sperm count and motility (especially if testosterone levels are low).
Treatment & Prevention
Zinc supplementation improves both sperm count and testosterone levels.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Male Infertility (Low Sperm Count):
Risk factors for Male Infertility (Low Sperm Count):
Recommendations and treatments for Male Infertility (Low Sperm Count): | | | | | Botanical |  Tribulus | Tribestan, an extract of tribulus, administered to males with reduced sperm count of unknown cause or with sperm disturbances due to varicocele, has been shown to result in increased concentration of sperm, increased percentage of motile sperm and, in some cases, an increase in the volume of ejaculate by 1-2ml. |
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Diet |
Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance| | Research has indicated that men who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had an increased incidence of abnormally formed sperm. Having five cups a day appears to make sperm sluggish as well. |
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Hormone |
Not recommended:
 Testosterone| | Testosterone causes suppression of spermatogenesis and can lead to infertility. |
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Lab Tests/Rule-Outs |
Test Zinc Levels| | Zinc is concentrated in ejaculate, and important for prostate health. Zinc stores can be reduced by frequent ejaculation. Marginal zinc status is associated with poor sperm count and motility (especially if testosterone levels are low). |
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Nutrient |
 Lycopene| | A study performed in India showed that lycopene supplementation proved to be beneficial to couples who try for the first time to conceive but are not successful due to unspecified male infertility problems. In this study, 50 men with low sperm counts were selected to receive lycopene supplements twice per day for three months. Within nine months after starting the lycopene supplements, 36% of the couples were successful. Amongst the 50 men, 70% had an increase in sperm concentration and 58% had an increase in sperm motility. |
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KEY | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link |  | | Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Reasonably likely to cause problems |
GLOSSARY
Cup (Cups)
A unit of volume measurement equal to 8 fluid oz, or roughly 250ml. It also equals 1/2 pint, 1/4 quart and 1/16 gallon.
Milliliter (mL)
0.001 or one thousandth of a liter.
Motility
Capacity for spontaneous movement, frequently in reference to the intestine.
Prostate
The prostate gland in men that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra and produces a secretion that liquefies coagulated semen.
Testosterone
The principal male sex hormone that induces and maintains the changes that take place in males at puberty. In men, the testicles continue to produce testosterone throughout life, though there is some decline with age. A naturally occurring androgenic hormone.
Zinc
An essential trace mineral. The functions of zinc are enzymatic. There are over 70 metalloenzymes known to require zinc for their functions. The main biochemicals in which zinc has been found to be necessary include: enzymes and enzymatic function, protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. Zinc is a constituent of insulin and male reproductive fluid. Zinc is necessary for the proper metabolism of alcohol, to get rid of the lactic acid that builds up in working muscles and to transfer it to the lungs. Zinc is involved in the health of the immune system, assists vitamin A utilization and is involved in the formation of bone and teeth.
Last updated: Jun 15, 2008
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