Many patients with male infertility are prescribed vitamin E. Many patients wonder, “Should I use spermogenic drugs for infertility? How can I take vitamin E? Does vitamin E have the effect of treating infertility?
The face of many patients’ questions, here to give you a specific introduction, I hope it can help you.
1, what is male infertility
2, the causes of male infertility
Factors that affect male fertility include genetic abnormalities, a history of chemical or heavy metal exposure, tobacco, alcohol or drug addiction, varicose veins, reproductive hormone disorders, infections, abnormal development of the reproductive tract, cancer, long-term use of drugs that affect sperm quality and quantity, and systemic conditions such as obesity, thyroid disease, liver disease and diabetes can all have an impact on male fertility.
Male infertility itself is not an independent disease, but can be a result of several factors, of which sperm function abnormalities related to oligo- and teratozoospermia account for about 60%.
Research shows that normal human body produces a small amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which has an important role in cell metabolism and biological defense; while high reactive oxygen species can directly oxidize germ cells and sperm, causing changes in sperm structure and function and affecting semen quality, followed by ROS destroying the integrity of sperm DNA, interfering with sperm-egg fusion and causing male infertility, which is one of the main causes of male infertility. Therefore, the application of antioxidants in male infertility treatment is gaining attention.
3.Introduction of vitamin E
Vitamin E, in academic terms, is also known as alpha-tocopherol. The reason why it is called “tocopherol” is related to the discovery of vitamin E. In 1922, scientists discovered a fat-soluble substance, the lack of which in female rats will cause uterine atrophy and other infertility and miscarriage, so it was named “tocopherol”, is one of the most important antioxidants.
(1) Physiological effects of vitamin E
The physiological effects of vitamin E include anti-inflammatory, maintain normal immune function and inhibit cell proliferation, and can enhance its clear and defense against ROS peroxidative damage through the synergistic effect of other antioxidants, and vitamin E also has the effect of preventing the formation of malformed fetus.
(2) Scavenging effect of vitamin E
As a fat-soluble antioxidant and free radical scavenger, vitamin E mainly fights against free radicals generated by lipid peroxidation in biological membranes and protects the structure and function of biological membranes.
Vitamin E can effectively scavenge O2- and is considered to be a major membrane protective substance against ROS and lipid peroxidation.
4.The role of vitamin E in male reproduction
Oligozoospermia: Several clinical studies have found that in combination with vitamin E can improve sperm motility, increase sperm concentration, and increase the probability of conception in the female partner.
Teratozoospermia: Peroxides or ROS are often the direct damage factors causing sperm malformations, so most patients with teratozoospermia can be treated with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Animal studies have shown that vitamin E administration significantly reduces the rate of aberrant sperm in both young and old mice; some studies have found that selenium in combination with vitamin E reduces the rate of aberrant sperm in patients; and some studies have also found that vitamin E intake is significantly lower in patients with high rates of aberrant sperm than in patients with low rates of aberrant sperm.
Sperm DNA damage: Studies have shown that oral vitamin E and vitamin C can significantly reduce sperm DNA damage in male infertility patients.
Infertility caused by varicocele: Vitamin E can counteract the decrease in mirror quality due to increased ROS caused by varicocele.
5.The selection and use of vitamin E
Vitamin E includes both natural vitamin E and synthetic vitamin E. Natural vitamin E is 3-8 times more biologically active than synthetic vitamin E, and its antioxidant properties are tens of times greater than synthetic vitamin E.
In the treatment of male infertility, it is recommended to use pharmaceutical-grade (>90%) natural vitamin E. The recommended dose is 100 mg each time, 2-3 times a day for about 3-6 months, and the dose and duration of treatment can be adjusted according to the patient’s symptoms and semen quality. At present, natural vitamin E is commonly used in the market, such as Lai Yi natural vitamin E soft capsules, the appropriate intake of vitamin E for adults is 10 mg per day, natural vitamin E can be taken regularly in moderation.
6.How to supplement natural vitamin E in the diet
Infertility patients who want to get natural vitamin E can get it in oil seeds, nuts, corn, soybean oil, peanut oil and so on. Vitamin e is also present in meat and milk, and is relatively abundant in cereals and oils. Oil is required in the daily diet of infertility patients, which is a direct way to obtain vitamin e. Among them, caraway oil has the highest content, followed by hemp seed oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, corn oil, and salad oil.
Warm tips: male friends want to maintain a healthy body, we must pay attention to daily health care, such as the development of a reasonable diet, the appropriate amount of exercise, less late at night, avoid sedentary, etc..