Introduction to Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble vitamin-like substance that is found in the cells of the human body. It is mainly located in the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart.

Several studies have shown that CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant and prevents cell damage. In humans, CoQ10 exists in two forms ubiquinol and ubiquinone. 90% of blood CoQ10 exists in the ubiquinol form. It is a biologically active form that has better absorption.

Generally, people tend to have adequate Coenzyme Q10 levels. People with health conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, blood infections, gum disease, certain muscle diseases, HIV infection, and Parkinson's disease, might have low levels of CoQ10

Sperm Health & Male Infertility 

Did you know that it takes approximately three months for a sperm to develop? In the time taken for its development, the sperms may get damaged by oxidative stress. This might alter or cause an error in the sperm DNA.

Decreased sperm count is one of the most common causes of male infertility.

Some useful terms about male infertility:

• Sperm count is the number of sperm present in a semen sample. 
• Sperm motility is the ability of the sperm to move in the right direction. 
• Sperm concentration or sperm density is the number of sperm per milliliter of semen. 
• Sperm morphology is the appearance, size, and shape of the sperm. 
• Sperm DNA Fragmentation refers to the measure of change in the bases or physical breaks in the DNA strands of the chromosomes within the sperm.

A noteworthy treatment option that can make a difference for men is CoQ10 supplements. Studies have reported that CoQ10 supplements can help improve the movement of sperm in men. Further research states that sperm count and sperm motility in men are linked to the amount of CoQ10 in their seminal fluid.

How Does CoQ10 Affect Sperm Motility & Sperm Count?

The research on finding the link between CoQ10 and male fertility started in 2004. The study showed that men taking CoQ10 supplementation showed increased levels of coenzyme Q10 along with an increase in their sperm motility. 

Scientists believe that CoQ10 with its antioxidant properties and contribution to energy production is the main reason behind its ability to improve sperm motility. Sperm motility is quite important for male fertility as the sperm needs to move through a woman’s reproductive tract to meet and fertilize the egg. 

Another study published in The Journal of Endocrinological Investigation in 2009 did research on men with infertility. Researchers examined the CoQ10 concentration and distribution in men with varicoceles and azoospermia, before and after fertility treatments. The results showed that CoQ10 increased in both sperm count and sperm motility after treatment.

Sperm concentration and sperm count are important for men’s fertility. A low sperm count is usually associated with low sperm quality and indicates several health conditions. A high sperm count is needed to increase the chance of fertilizing a woman’s egg and reducing any chance of the resultant conception having a disorder.

How CoQ10 Affects Sperm DNA & Sperm Shape? 

A 2013 meta-analysis study published in The Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics investigated the effectiveness of CoQ10 as a treatment for male infertility. The study found that there was a global improvement in sperm parameters with an increased intake of CoQ10.

Similarly, when it comes to sperm morphology, there are cases of the sperm having an extra head or no head or a misshaped head, or no tail. Abnormal sperm morphology indicates a decrease in male fertility and doesn’t lead to any successful fertilization.

Basis several studies, researchers believe that oxidative stress is a major cause of male infertility, sperm DNA fragmentation, and abnormal sperm morphology. CoQ10 can help with this as it has strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help with neutralizing free radicals, protect the body from any sort of oxidative stress and any types of degradation to the sperm.

CoQ10 supplementation could help in improving several semen parameters, deal with the oxidative stress markers, help reduce sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm morphology.

Safety and Side Effects

Coenzyme Q10 is considered and sold as a dietary supplement. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration which regulates and tests medications doesn’t regulate dietary supplements, so the safety of CoQ10 supplements may not be as extensively tested.

Some side effects of CoQ10 are fatigue, headache, nausea, mild insomnia, irritability, elevated liver enzymes, and upper abdominal pain, which are all rare and mild when it appears.

Because of this, several fertility experts recommend CoQ10 supplements to improve a person’s sperm count, motility, and the many other aspects of male reproductive health.  

Conclusion

Many studies state that CoQ10 has benefits in improving male fertility. It is also recommended by fertility experts for people facing fertility issues. While CoQ10 is beneficial for men with fertility issues, it has certain side effects for certain people. Also, the dosage of CoQ10 supplements will vary from person to person. Keeping all this in mind, it is generally better to check and discuss with your doctor or fertility expert before starting treatment by consuming CoQ10 supplements.

Source links:

https://blog.theralogix.com/coq10-fertility/ https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/coenzyme-q10-helps-deal-with-male-infertility