When a couple is desperate to have a baby, the conversation often focuses on the ambivalent female partner’s health. But that’s only giving one side of the story. 

 

Male fertility is a complex interplay of multifactorial conditions that lead to sperm epigenetic alterations—accounting for up to 50% cases where couples have trouble conceiving. So, if couples have trouble conceiving despite having frequent and unprotected intercourse, it is considered an inability to conceive.

 

Understanding male fertility can feel intimidating and is a 50% contributor to the cases!  

  

Multiple factors have been identified as major causes and are closely linked with male infertility, including;

• Endocrine disorders: Failing to release hormones the way it is supposed to be.

• Genetic abnormalities: Abnormalities of both external and internal organs (testis, scrotum, and penis – varicocele).

• Genetic abnormalities: Blockage in the sperm ejaculatory ducts.

• Abnormalities in Sperm Production: Aspermia (no semen during ejaculation), Hypospermia (abnormally low semen volume every time), Azoospermia (no sperm in the semen), Oligozoospermia (less than 15 million sperm/mL in semen), Asthenozoospermia (low sperm motility).

• Lifestyle problems: This includes taking tobacco products, higher alcohol intake, illicit drug misuse, poor diet & sleep quality, sedentary lifestyle, and physical inactivity, etc.

• Psychological issues: Feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety disorders, grief, etc.

 

Continuous stimulation of the penis will result in the ejaculation of a white-grayish testicular fluid, called semen. Semen or seminal fluid contains a mixture of sperm cells (1/600 inch long or 0.05 millimeters in size) mainly made in the testes, start the maturation process of spermatozoa in the epididymides, and are discharged during sexual arousal, once the sperm starts to ejaculate and come in contact in the cervix and uterus to bind the egg in a fallopian tube, sperm capacitation process takes place.

 

The WHO has recommended some measured parameters for good semen quality and motility.

              

The Cellular Damage: Oxidative Stress Resulting In Sperm DNA Fragmentation!

(Published in Metabolites, April 2025)

Sperm DNA fragmentation can be a result of many external contributors, including smoking, drinking, infections, pollutants, etc. However, many researchers now hold the belief that oxidative stress is the largest contributor to sperm DNA fragmentation. A number of studies have shown that males have a higher level of SDF (Sperm DNA fragmentation) associated with male infertility due to poorly condensed chromatin, resulting in sperm DNA and chromosomal abnormalities. This refers to the DNA becoming broken or damaged in the sperm’s nucleus, a condition called Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF).

 

Noticeably, a higher DNA Fragmentation Index was mostly found in oligozoospermic males compared to males with normal sperm parameters (normozoospermic males), so high DFI sperm have lower rates of successful fertilisation.  

 

It can cause major problems, including:

• Failure to conceive naturally

• Low success rates with IVF and ICSI

• Increased risk of miscarriage

This is why a man can have a “normal” sperm count but still face fertility challenges. The poor quality of the DNA likely relates to defective spermatogenesis and is as important as the number of sperm.

 

Intrinsic apoptosis, abnormal protamine content in sperm and excessive ROS production are believed to be major contributors to the higher concentrations of SDF. Good parameters of sperm DNA integrity mean males have low sperm DFI, leading to an increase in pregnancy outcomes.

 

According to the current available evidence, it is a widely held view that a DFI value ≤ 15% indicates normal, 15< DFI <30% is average, while a value of DFI ≥ 30% is considered as High DFI levels, which means significantly fragmented DNA or set as DFI abnormal group.

 

≥ 30% DFI  is considered to have a high sperm DNA fragmentation majorly contributes to male infertility. (Source)  

 

What Makes Male Fertility?

 

For successful fatherhood, you need healthy and fertile sperm; your sperm should have thick semen, a smooth oval-shaped head (5-6 μm long and 2.5-3.5 μm wide) and an uncoiled normal tail. Doctors usually look at three key factors:

• Count: Are there enough sperm in/millilitre per ejaculation of semen?

• Motility: Can they efficiently swim or move well?

• Morphology: Do they have an oval-shaped head?

One of the most common issues is low sperm motility, a condition called asthenozoospermia. In simple terms, it means the swimmers aren’t strong enough to complete their long journey to reach the egg, and this is considered a major contributor to male infertility.

According to reports published on Basic and Clinical Andrology by a group of scientists, Gou, C., Zhou, Z., Chen, Z., et al.: Studies have shown that ASZ is solely responsible for around 19–20% of male infertility cases.

The Root Cause: Phenomenon Caused by Cellular Rust (Oxidative Stress)

[Published in Medicina (MDPI), June 2024]

 

So, what causes all this damage? One of the major causes at the cellular level is called oxidative stress.

 

Studies have proved that when a sperm function is low, harmful effects of excessive reactive oxygen species, and abnormally shaped sperm can potentially induce cell DNA damage, including DNA denaturation and SDF, lipids and proteins. Hence, human asthenozoospermia damages the integrity of the sperm plasma membrane and function.

 

So male fertility, according to WHO, is the inability or failure to make a fertile female get pregnant.

 

The specific hormones involved include:

• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is released  from the anterior pituitary gland (gonadotropic cells)

• Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is secreted from the brain’s Hypothalamic neurons 

• Inhibin Hormone is secreted from the Sertoli cells

• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is secreted from the pituitary gland 

• Testosterone is secreted primarily from the testicles

 Your Wellness Factor in Your Sperm Fertility Journey!

 

To map your wellness journey, start by addressing all major health issues, including optimising male or female reproductive efficiency by adopting a healthy lifestyle, generally plays a big role. Taking the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and concentrated amino acids in high-protein diets, moderate- and high-intensity physical activity, and lower exposure to toxic substances (e.g., smoking, drinking alcohol) keeps your reproductive health in check, especially when you’re trying for a baby, and makes you active in your daily life. But our modification of dietary intakes for fertility wellness involves nutrient-dense foods rich in antioxidants can potentially improve our reproductive health.  

   

Let’s take a closer look at the scientific significance behind these potent nutrients and how they protect our reproductive health and improve reproductive cells by lowering oxidative stress.

 

How Antioxidants Prevent Cellular Damage and Improve Sperm Count, Motility, and Morphology?

 

Every day, our body neutralises unstable molecules called free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage the eucaryotic cells in DNA and harm our reproductive functions. These high concentrations of oxidative stress are caused by high pollution, UV radiation, poor diet, smoking, drinking or even too much stress, which contribute to persistent effects of chronic conditions.

 

Free radicals can significantly impair sperm mitochondria (Spermatozoa), especially causing idiopathic infertility in men – and higher ROS (free radicals attack) levels could result in higher lipid peroxidation levels within the sperm membrane.

This damage can cause some common pathological conditions, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and damage to the DNA in sperm (SDF). Undeniably, excessive ROS is a key player in male infertility through oxidative degradation of lipids and sperm DNA damage. According to research, higher seminal ROS levels have been found in 30% to 80% of infertile men.

 

These free radicals attack our healthy cells, including reproductive cells (gamete cells) involved in sexual reproduction. When the body doesn’t have enough antioxidants to neutralise free radicals to mitigate oxidative stress, thereby our cellular damage occurs and increases body inflammation.  

 

Major Nutritional Supports From Male Fertility Supplements to Improve Male Sperm Quality, Motility, and Count:

 

Although if you start taking dietary supplements containing vitamins, minerals and antioxidants alongside your daily diet, you may expect extra support to fill the nutritional gaps. But, there is an undeniable point to remember: taking a fertility supplement for men cannot promise conception ability in infertile men (or ensure pregnancy chances).  

 

But, some studies believed that certain dietary supplements containing Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), L-carnitine, Zinc, L-arginine, Vitamin E, and locopene can have a beneficial impact on sperm count, sperm motility, and improve sperm quality, especially if a person follows a healthy lifestyle (i.e., diet, regular 30-minute exercise, and lower stress).

 

Take Fertility Supplement For Men Contains Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10):

Several studies also proved that taking coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in particular has been beneficial and has positive effects to promote reproductive health in men, especially it can help improve sperm density and motility.

 

Taking fertility-support vitamins to improve male reproductive health in your diet can certainly be beneficial to better sperm quality and lower the risk of abnormal parameters in sperm morphology, help improve sperm concentration, keep sperm healthy and support males’ fertility journey. So, picking the best vitamins for male fertility to support conception chances and boost semen parameters among men with infertility.

 

CoQ10 is a vitamin-like strong antioxidant that also helps your cells produce energy and provides many male fertility benefits, especially important to improve sperm parameters, which need a lot of energy to make a long journey. The coexistence of an anti-inflammatory agent and the super antioxidant hegemony of CoQ10’s ability is undeniably potent to improve the ROS levels, which can improve sperm motility due to its existence of antioxidant compounds to neutralise free radicals and its contribution to mitochondrial energy production. 

The results from one study are surprising. Research has shown that men (aged 20-40) who took CoQ10 supplementation for six months saw their total sperm count increase by over 53%. The total sperm motility has improved after baseline sperm concentration tests.

 

CoQ10 supplements reduced sluggish motile sperm (sperm’s inability to move efficiently) in asthenozoospermia men and absolute azoospermia men (immotile sperm). (source)   

Having a high sperm count is a key factor in a male’s fertility journey, but a low count could be a sign of several underlying medical conditions. It is closely linked to poor sperm quality.

 

Male Fertility Supplement Containing L-Carnitine to Help Improve Sperm Motility:

 

L-Carnitine is a chemical compound your body makes from two amino acid derivatives—lysine and methionine. It turns long-chain fatty acids into ATP (your cellular energy) at the mitochondrial level, so they can burn those fats for energy.

In simpler terms, it helps your body turn stored fat into energy. That’s why people who train hard or struggle with low energy levels often gt help from it.

 

But here’s something interesting—L-Carnitine isn’t just about energy. Some research shows it might help boost male fertility, too. One study compared L-Carnitine with vitamin E and CoQ10, and it turned out that men who took L-Carnitine saw higher testosterone and LH levels, along with better sperm motility. That means their sperm moved more efficiently—a good sign for anyone trying to plan a baby.

 

Other research has indicated that taking L-carnitine supplements increases total sperm motility and improves semen morphology.  

 

Take a Proper Diet First, Then Consider a Fertility Supplement for Men:  

Men’s sexual stability and male reproductive health are major global issues. In terms of improving sperm biology, male reproductive performance can ensure male fertility chances.

 

You can get these fertility boost nutrients from your diet. L-Carnitine is mostly found in red meat, fish, and dairy. A “food first” approach is always the best foundation.

However, when you need an extra boost, taking a fertility supplement for men, “Ultimate Conception Max for Men” with a concentrated dose of protective nutrients can help men improve sperm DNA fragmentation and lower the risk of infertility in men by reducing oxidative stress in the human body.