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Ubiquinol and Male Fertility

Writer's picture: Dr Emma DerbyshireDr Emma Derbyshire
Ubiquinol and Male Fertility.
Figure 1: Ubiquinol and Male Fertility.

Modern Life and Male Fertility

Male fertility is not commonly spoken about but is a widespread condition that affects couples. About 1 in 7 couples in the UK are affected by infertility[1]. Amongst couples having difficulties conceiving about 50% of infertility may be due to problems with spermatogenesis – the development of healthy sperm cells[2].


Whilst young adults are becoming more conscious about maintaining their health, with an increasing number proactively seeking credible information from reputable sources the challenge of balancing the demands of life can often derail even the best of intentions. Indeed, many lifestyle factors such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep deprivation, chronic stress, caffeine intakes and mobile telephone use are all known to have a role to play in the development of infertility[1][3].



Mitochondria and Male Fertility

Just like female eggs (oocytes), the quality of sperm is affected by how well the mitochondria work. It is known, for example, that the middle part (‘neck’) of a sperm cell houses most mitochondria[4]. Within human sperm mitochondria are wrapped helically around the centre of the tail (Figure 2), providing the energy that drives the force of motility[4].


Healthy mitochondria in male spermatozoa are needed to[5]:

  • Generate energy for sperm movement

  • To undergo physiological changes so that they can penetrate and fertilise the egg (capacitation)

  • Support acrosome reactions (the sac at the head of the spermatozoa that houses enzymes needed to break down the surrounding membrane of a female egg cell and allow penetration of the sperm)

  • Support fusion of the sperm and female oocyte


Sperm mitochondria depend on an adequate supply of ATP.
Figure 2: Sperm Mitochondria use ATP for Energy.

Why is Ubiquinol Useful?

Ubiquinol is a derivative of Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10). CoQ10 exists and alternates between two forms - ubiquinone which is the inactive oxidised form and ubiquinol which is the active reduced form[6]. Ubiquinol makes up approximately 95% of all CoQ10 circulating in the body[7]. Ubiquinol is the active and bioavailable form of CoQ10[8].


The reduced form of CoQ10 Ubiquinol acts as a powerful antioxidant and helps to prevent lipid peroxidation in sperm membranes[9]. Sperm mitochondria depend on an adequate supply of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and Ubiquinol plays an essential role in ATP generation[10]. The generation of ATP is also important for sperm motility and steroid hormone biosynthesis and defective sperm mitochondrial function can be detrimental to male fertility[11].



Scientific Insights

Supplementation with ubiquinol has been shown to improve sperm count and motility[12][13]. In clinical studies with men[12][13]. Kaneka Ubiquinol® has been shown to improve sperm motility up to 31% and increase sperm count up to 62% (Figure 3). For many parents wishing to conceive, the journey to conception can be a challenging one, and these findings suggest Ubiquinol has a role to play in supporting couples on that path.


MOSI, also known as male oxidative stress infertility, can also contribute to male infertility and individual therapies could help to counteract this[14]. Supplementation with Ubiquinol could be one potential option.


Figure 3: Ubiquinol and Sperm Parameters. Source: Data extracted from Safarinejad MR, et al., 2012; Thakur AS, et al., 2015.
Figure 3: Ubiquinol and Sperm Parameters. Source: Data extracted from Safarinejad MR, et al., 2012; Thakur AS, et al., 2015.

Concluding Points

Overall, male infertility is a largely silent subject, yet sperm count has declined by around 50% in the last 40 years[15]. Infertility is not, however, a topic that affects women alone, men can also be affected. Lifestyle strategies can play a key role in helping the reinforce natural fertility and taking a supplement such as Ubiquinol could be one part of this.


References:

  1. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/infertility/background-information/prevalence/

  2. lacqua A et al. (2018) Lifestyle and fertility: the influence of stress and quality of life on male fertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 16(1):115.

  3. Lateef OM & Akintubosun MO (2020) Sleep and Reproductive Health. J Circadian Rhythms 18:1.

  4. Hirata S et al. (2002) Spermatozoon and mitochondrial DNA. Reprod Med Biol 1(2):41-47.

  5. Tesarik J & Mendoza-Tesaril R (2023) Mitochondria in Human Fertility and Infertility. Int J Mol Sci 24(10):8950.

  6. Pelton R (2020) Coenzyme Q10: A Miracle Nutrient Advances in Understanding. Integr Med (Encinitas) 19: 16-20.

  7. Acosta MJ et al. (2016) Coenzyme Q biosynthesis in health and disease. Biochim Biophys Acta 1857: 1079-1085.

  8. Bhagavan HN & Chopra RK (2006). Coenzyme Q10: absorption, tissue uptake, metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Free Radic Res 40(5): 445-453.

  9. Lewin A & Lavon H (1997) The effect of coenzyme Q10 on sperm motility and function. Molecular Aspects of Medicine Vol 18, Supplement 1, 213-219.

  10. https://www.nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com/news/article_page/The_ultimate_health_combination_ubiquinol_and_mitochondria/200068

  11. Raad MV et al. (2024) The impact of mitochondrial impairments on sperm function and male fertility: a systematic review. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Vol 22, Article number: 83.

  12. Thakur AS et al. (2015) Effect of Ubiquinol therapy on sperm parameters and serum testosterone levels in Oligoasthenozoospermic infertile men. J Clin Diagn Res 9(9):BC01-BC03.

  13. Safarinejad MR et al. (2012) Effects of the reduced form of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study. J Urol

    188(2):526-31.

  14. Agarwal A et al. (2019) Male Oxidative Stress Infertility (MOSI): Proposed Terminology and Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Idiopathic Male Infertility. World J Mens Health 37(3): 296-312

  15. https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Report-on-Male-Fertility-Survey.pdf



This article was supported by Kaneka Ubiquinol. The content of the insight has been written independently.


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