Research published in the Journal of Lipid Research suggests that a lack of the Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may significantly reduce male fertility.
Scientists at the University of Illinois made the discovery as part of ongoing research to understand the key roles played by Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in the body.
Using genetically engineered mice that lacked the ability to produce an enzyme (delta-6-desaturase) which is essential for the synthesis of DHA, researchers noted that the mice suffered not only from extremely low sperm levels, but that the sperm they did produce was of such abnormally low quality that their motility (ability to swim) was also severely impaired.
“In the absence of DHA, male mice are basically infertile, producing few if any misshaped sperm that can’t get where they need to go,” said Dr Manabu Nakamura, associate professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition and lead author of the study. One of the study’s associate researchers, Manuel Roqueta-Rivera continued that the DHA deprived mice “simply were not able to breed”.
But when the researchers supplemented the diets of the infertile mice with 0.2 percent of DHA, the effect according to Dr Nakamura was ‘striking’. Both the quality and quantity of sperm production improved significantly, leading to a total restoration of fertility.
An Iranian study published earlier this year in the journal Clinical Nutrition had shown that a group of 150 infertile men had substantially lower quantities of Omega-3’s in their sperm in comparison to fertile men. However, this new research is the first to specifically confirm that these fatty acids are intrinsically important for the production of healthy sperm.
Dr. Nakamura stressed that more research needs to be undertaken ‘at a cellular level’ to fully understand the physiological mechanism at work; and the relationship between DHA and healthy sperm formation and motility.
However, these initial findings could prove fundamental to the treatment of male fertility problems, which statistics indicate are a key factor for around 40 percent of couples who are unable to conceive.
If you’re a vegetarian you’ll be glad to know that DHA can be synthesised by the body through the conversion of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) – a plant based Omega 3 fatty acid which is found in highly concentrated quantities in flaxseed and olive oil as well as walnuts.
Non-vegetarians on the other hand can gain addition DHA directly from cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, cod, herrings and sardines. If none of those appeal, it may be well worth supplementing your diet with concentrated fish oil (which can be purchased in capsule form). Again, fish oil supplements contains a highly concentrated source of Omega 3 fatty acids – with the better ones including around 10 – 12 percent of the fertility boosting DHA.
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