Low sperm count
After two years of trying for a baby, my husband has now been told he suffers from a very low sperm count but there is good mobility. We have been advised to consider Artificial Insemination (AI) but want to know if there is anything he can do, aside from taking zinc, to boost his sperm count and improve our chances?
You already know zinc plays a key role in reproductive health in both sexes. Your husband needs to take a daily dose of 30mg, coupled with 1mg of copper for balance. The other nutrient that has been shown to help improve sperm count and mobility is vitamin B12. He should take 1,000 mcg (micrograms) a day.
Carnitine is useful in men seeking specifically to improve sperm motility and vitamin E is important too. In one placebo-controlled trial of men whose sperm showed impaired activity, a daily dose of 100IU of vitamin E resulted in healthier sperm and an increased rate of pregnancy. Research now shows that naturally-sourced vitamin E is more effective than synthetic forms so check this with any brand you buy.
One of the herbal remedies recommended for male fertility problems is ashwaganda which is often called the Indian Ginseng. In his book, Essentials of Ayurveda, Professor Priya Vrat Sharma says this is the herb that makes a man “potent like a horse.” There is no clinical evidence for its potency with male fertility but it is an adaptogen which can help normalise the body’s systems and increase its resistance to stress which can adversely affect sperm. The therapeutic daily dose is 120mg - or your husband can take it as a tea, in which case he should drink three cups a day.
If you want to take the nutritional route, Male Source from Revital (0800-252875) includes natural source vitamin E, carnitine, zinc, arginine, taurine and selenium. It costs £18.95 for 60 capsules. Trojan for Men, from the same company, includes the herbs ashwaganda, ginkgo, nutmeg and tribulus and costs £21.99 for 45 capsules. You can also use a high dose vitamin E alone. 60 x 400 IUs Source Naturals capsules cost £10.95.