Guide | A New Approach to Male Infertility: Dietary Supplements for Sperm Motility
In recent years, more men have begun trying a citrus-flavored dietary supplement that its manufacturer says is "specifically designed to optimize sperm quality." Despite its unpleasant taste and high price—up to $500 for a six-month supply—many men and their partners consider it worth trying. According to urologist Larry L. Lipshultz, poor sperm quality is a major cause of male infertility.
Lipshultz recommends that some patients try an over-the-counter product called proXeed. It is manufactured in Italy and sold exclusively by a company in Maryland, United States. As the lead investigator of the first U.S. clinical trial of proXeed, Lipshultz and his research team hope to determine whether the supplement works and learn more about male infertility.
"We need to increase awareness of male infertility," Lipshultz said. He cited a 1998 government study showing that 1.1 million American women make gynecology appointments for infertility each year, but only 20% of their male partners, about 250,000 men, are referred for evaluation.
proXeed's main ingredients are L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, which have been available "for a long time." Lipshultz said they have been used in Europe for about 30 years. Although early test results were encouraging, the methods were not rigorous. proXeed is also being tested at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, the site of the first U.S. in vitro fertilization program.
According to the manufacturer of proXeed, L-carnitine transports fat into cells in healthy individuals and also serves as a fuel source. Fat is a main energy source for sperm movement. Acetyl-L-carnitine is essential to cell membrane development, and the cell membrane is an important part of sperm fertilization of the egg. proXeed also contains fructose, a major energy source, and citric acid, which plays a key role in energy production.
Men experiencing infertility and their partners can discuss with a doctor whether proXeed is appropriate for them. As more evidence becomes available, doctors will have greater confidence in deciding whether to recommend the supplement as part of a comprehensive approach to male infertility.
Guide | A New Approach to Male Infertility: Dietary Supplements for Sperm Motility
Guide | A New Approach to Male Infertility: Dietary Supplements for Sperm Motility
In recent years, more men have begun trying a citrus-flavored dietary supplement that its manufacturer says is "specifically designed to optimize sperm quality." Despite its unpleasant taste and high price—up to $500 for a six-month supply—many men and their partners consider it worth trying. According to urologist Larry L. Lipshultz, poor sperm quality is a major cause of male infertility.
Lipshultz recommends that some patients try an over-the-counter product called proXeed. It is manufactured in Italy and sold exclusively by a company in Maryland, United States. As the lead investigator of the first U.S. clinical trial of proXeed, Lipshultz and his research team hope to determine whether the supplement works and learn more about male infertility.
"We need to increase awareness of male infertility," Lipshultz said. He cited a 1998 government study showing that 1.1 million American women make gynecology appointments for infertility each year, but only 20% of their male partners, about 250,000 men, are referred for evaluation.
proXeed's main ingredients are L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, which have been available "for a long time." Lipshultz said they have been used in Europe for about 30 years. Although early test results were encouraging, the methods were not rigorous. proXeed is also being tested at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia, the site of the first U.S. in vitro fertilization program.
According to the manufacturer of proXeed, L-carnitine transports fat into cells in healthy individuals and also serves as a fuel source. Fat is a main energy source for sperm movement. Acetyl-L-carnitine is essential to cell membrane development, and the cell membrane is an important part of sperm fertilization of the egg. proXeed also contains fructose, a major energy source, and citric acid, which plays a key role in energy production.
Men experiencing infertility and their partners can discuss with a doctor whether proXeed is appropriate for them. As more evidence becomes available, doctors will have greater confidence in deciding whether to recommend the supplement as part of a comprehensive approach to male infertility.
Source:
Collected online