A growing body of evidence suggests that chemical and physical agents in the environment, introduced and spread by human activity, may affect male reproductive health. Of particular concern is whether they alter semen quality. Specific toxins of interest include phthalates, pesticides, heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It is likely that such environmental factors reduce sperm concentration by causing oxidative stress and lead to poor semen quality — one of the most common reasons for male infertility. High levels of reactive oxygen species can break down the quality of sperm DNA, reduce sperm motility and impair sperm cell membranes.
Global estimates state that infertility affects between 50 and 80 million people
Global estimates state that infertility affects between 8% and 12% of couples in which the woman is of childbearing age: that equates to between 50 and 80 million people.1 Infertility is often perceived to be a predominantly female disorder, even though male-factor infertility is equally prevalent. In about 30–40% of cases, the unfulfilled wish to have children is attributable to a problem with the male partner. Around 8% of men of reproductive age seek help for fertility problems. Yet, despite great advances in the field, many cases of male infertility are of unknown cause and remain untreated. Only a few couples manage to achieve successful pregnancy with the aid of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) such as in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer. And these procedures are invasive, stressful, costly and not without risk.
Ubiquinol Supplementation: Safe, Effective and Natural
As oxidative stress plays an important role in semen quality, antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10 and its active form Ubiquinol give reason to hope that there is a new route to less complicated methods of treatment for male infertility. Ubiquinol is more bioavailable than Q10 and is easier for the body to use. The vitamin-like nutrient acts as an important electron transmitter in the respiratory chain inside mitochondrial cells, which produces more than 95% of the body’s energy.
In addition, Ubiquinol is a very powerful lipid-soluble antioxidant: it protects cells, their membrane phospholipids and DNA from free radical damage and oxidative stress. In terms of male fertility, large amounts of mitochondria are present in spermatozoa, and it is known that sperm motility requires a high degree of energy expenditure. Better membrane protection against oxidative stress could also help to preserve sperm integrity.2 Moreover, Ubiquinol has been scientifically tested and found to be completely safe.
In the Science Spotlight
Professor of Urology, Mohammad Reza Safarinejad, did a series of clinical studies looking at idiopathic male factor infertility. His first investigations were conducted with coenzyme Q10.3 A total of 212 infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg of coenzyme Q10 orally, daily, or a similar placebo regimen for 26 weeks, followed by a 30 week treatment-free phase. The results showed that semen parameters improved in terms of sperm count, motility and morphology. By the end of the treatment phase, the mean acrosome reaction had increased from 14% to 31% in the coenzyme Q10 group. This reaction is an important parameter of male fertility and serves as a rule for the insemination ability of sperm cells.
In the coenzyme Q10 group, there was also a significant decrease in both serum follicle stimulating (FSH) hormone and luteinizing (LH) hormone during the 26 week treatment phase. FSH and LH stimulate production of estrogen. Thus, having high levels of these hormones is counterproductive for optimum male fertility.
Study outcomes based only on improvement in semen values do not cover the issue of male infertility in its entirety
It would appear, however, that study outcomes based only on improvement in semen values do not cover the issue of male infertility in its entirety. The pregnancy rate is likely to be a more accurate outcome measure, as this is the ultimate goal of infertility treatment. Thus, Professor Safarinejad examined the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on the partner pregnancy rate.4 In this study, 287 infertile men with idiopathic OAT were treated orally with 300 mg of coenzyme Q10 twice a day for 12 months. Again, blood tests confirmed a significant improvement in semen quality. Patients were followed up for another 12 months after coenzyme Q10 was discontinued. It was found that 34.1% of the women got pregnant during the study period. Compared with the 12 month cumulative spontaneous pregnancy rate of 6.4% on the waiting list for male subfertility patients, this is a remarkable increase and might not have been achieved if these patients had been left untreated.
As the body does not have to convert Ubiquinol and can thus use it directly, Dr Safarinejad expected that it would have even higher efficacy. Ubiquinol is composed of two more hydrogen atoms than its precursor coenzyme Q10. It is this difference in molecular structure that is responsible for Ubiquinol’s superior bioavailability.
In a virtual repeat of his first study arrangement, Dr Safarinejad did a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized study in which a total of 228 men aged between 25 and 44 years with unexplained infertility were randomly assigned into two groups.5 The first group received 200mg of Ubiquinol for 26 weeks, whereas the second group received a similar regimen of placebo. Compared with the previous study, Ubiquinol was found to be more effective than Q10 in improving sperm count and motility. Sperm density increased more than 2.5-fold with Ubiquinol compared with conventional Q10. Dr Safarinejad pointed out that oxidative stress is a primary influencing factor for male infertility.
Another fertility study offered a similar, positive outcome.6 Dr Thakur of the Jagdalpur College in India investigated Ubiquinol supplementation in 20 male subjects aged between 20 and 40 years with reduced fertility status. After four months of supplementation with 150mg of Ubiquinol a day, the total sperm count increased by 53% and total sperm mobility improved by 26%. In further analyses of sperm mobility, the quantity of rapidly motile sperm (RMS) increased to 41%, whereas the number of sluggishly motile sperm (SMS) decreased to 29%. The scientists hypothesised that their favourable findings could be attributed to Ubiquinol’s protection of testicular cells against oxidative stress, a theory in line with Dr Safarinejad’s study.
Enormous Market Potential
Given the pervasiveness of infertility and the seriousness of its consequences, it is a substantial public health problem and often leads to psychological and emotional stress. Supplementation with Ubiquinol may be the key to male infertility. Taking a natural supplement is psychologically and physiologically easier than commonly used clinical measures. During treatment, no medical or surgical intervention is necessary and the therapy is discrete and cost-effective. This, in particular, may be relevant for Ubiquinol’s use in developing or underdeveloped communities where the problem of infertility is often treated with social isolation and prejudices.
Ubiquinol is relatively new in supplement form because it was previously impossible to isolate the substance for use in such applications
Ubiquinol is relatively new in supplement form because it was previously impossible to isolate the substance for use in such applications. However, after more than 10 years of research, the Japanese company Kaneka succeeded in developing the world’s first stable, bioidentical Ubiquinol. This patented health ingredient is produced via a natural yeast fermentation process. For manufacturers of food supplements, there is great market potential. Ubiquinol can be used in a wide range of nutraceuticals, as well as in functional foods, either alone or in combination with other substances to create “all-round” fertility products.
References
1. World Health Organization, “Infertility: A Tabulation of Available Data on the Prevalence of Primary and Secondary Infertility,” Programme on Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning, Division of Family Health (Geneva, Switzerland, 1991).
2. A. Mancini and G. Balercia, “Coenzyme Q10 in Male Infertility,” proceedings of the 7th Conference of the International Coenzyme Q10 Association (Seville, Spain, 8–11 November 2012): pp 59–60.
3. M.R. Safarinejad, “Efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 on Semen Parameters, Sperm Function and Reproductive Hormones in Infertile Men,” The Journal of Urology 182, 237–248 (2009).
4. M.R. Safarinejad, “The Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Partner Pregnancy Rate in Infertile Men with Idiopathic Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia: An Open-Label Prospective Study,” Int. Urol. Nephrol. 44(3), 689–700 (2012): doi: 10.1007/s11255-011-0081-0.
5. M.R. Safarinejad, et al., “Effects of the Reduced Form of Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol) on Semen Parameters in Men with Idiopathic Infertility: A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Randomized Study,” The Journal of Urology 188(2), 526–531 (2012): doi: 10.1016/ j.juro.2012.03.131.
6. A.S. Thakur, et al., “Ubiquinol Therapy: Sperm Parameters and Testosterone Level,” proceedings of the 7th Conference of the International Coenzyme Q10 Association (Seville, Spain, 8–11 November 2012).