One in six Australian couples find it difficult to have a baby.
Infertility is generally defined as a couple’s inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. When infertile couples seek assistance, a male factor is identified 50% of the time.
The production of sperm is dependent on a delicate interplay between various aspects of the endocrine, reproductive and nervous systems.
The hypothalamus releases GnRH which stimulates the production and release of both luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
LH and FSH both bind to specific receptors within the testis, stimulating testosterone production. Spermatogenesis requires sufficient testosterone, as well adequate micronutrient levels and healthy testicular function.
Common causes of male infertility can include:
- sperm production problems
- blockage of sperm transport
- sexual problems
- hormonal problems
- sperm antibodies
These can be influenced by many environmental, lifestyle and nutritional factors that need to be investigated if male reproductive health is to be adequately addressed.
Environmental: Heat, pollution, heavy metals, plasticisers, pesticides/herbicides.
Lifestyle: Smoking, alcohol, obesity, stress, advanced paternal age, poor diet.
Infection: Genito-urinary tract, systemic, mumps, STDs.
Autoimmune: Sperm antibodies, genitourinary obstruction, testicular inflammation.
Testicular Trauma: Vasectomy, torsion.
Chronic Disease: Diabetes, haemaglobinopathies, hyperhomocysteinaemia.
Iatrogenic: Medications, medical procedures.
Balancing Nutritional Deficiencies
Balancing nutritional deficiencies through diet and kinesiology can also be beneficial in optimising overall fertility. In the Optimising Reproductive Function MasterClass you will understand how to work with important micronutrients and that have been shown to assist in increasing male fertility and sperm count.
Micronutrient Influences on Sperm Health
Carnitine
↑ sperm motility
antioxidant
Zinc
↑ sperm motility
↑ sperm count
improve sperm morphology
antioxidant
Coenzyme Q10
↑ sperm motility
↑ sperm count
improve sperm morphology
Selenium
↑ sperm motility
antioxidant
Vitamin C
↑ sperm motility
↑ sperm count
improve sperm morphology
antioxidant
In many cases this may not be an overt nutrient deficiency, but rather a ‘distortion’ in the body’s electromagnetic template. This can result in poor uptake, assimilation or utilisation of a nutrient.
Supplying targeted nutrition not only supports a healthy pregnancy but aids the child’s development, priming them for the best start in life. In addition, research is emerging about how perinatal nutritional deficiencies can influence the development of disease later in the offspring’s life.
