Animal studies show that zinc deficiency is associated with low testosterone, abnormal testicular function, and infertility.[1][2][3][4] Some human studies have reported similar observations,[4][5][6][7] but because of the lack of clinical trials, conclusions about the effect of zinc supplementation on sperm health or fertility aren’t currently possible.[8][9][7][10]
References
- ^Yamaguchi S, Miura C, Kikuchi K, Celino FT, Agusa T, Tanabe S, Miura TZinc is an essential trace element for spermatogenesis.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.(2009-Jun-30)
- ^Croxford TP, McCormick NH, Kelleher SLModerate zinc deficiency reduces testicular Zip6 and Zip10 abundance and impairs spermatogenesis in mice.J Nutr.(2011-Mar)
- ^Merrells KJ, Blewett H, Jamieson JA, Taylor CG, Suh MRelationship between abnormal sperm morphology induced by dietary zinc deficiency and lipid composition in testes of growing rats.Br J Nutr.(2009-Jul)
- ^Te L, Liu J, Ma J, Wang SCorrelation between serum zinc and testosterone: A systematic review.J Trace Elem Med Biol.(2023-Mar)
- ^C D Hunt, P E Johnson, J Herbel, L K MullenEffects of dietary zinc depletion on seminal volume and zinc loss, serum testosterone concentrations, and sperm morphology in young menAm J Clin Nutr.(1992 Jul)
- ^A Taravati, F TohidiAssociation between seminal plasma zinc level and asthenozoospermia: a meta-analysis studyAndrologia.(2016 Aug)
- ^Jiang Zhao, Xingyou Dong, Xiaoyan Hu, Zhou Long, Liang Wang, Qian Liu, Bishao Sun, Qingqing Wang, Qingjian Wu, Longkun LiZinc levels in seminal plasma and their correlation with male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysisSci Rep.(2016 Mar 2)
- ^Netter A, Hartoma R, Nahoul KEffect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and sperm countArch Androl.(1981 Aug)
- ^Prasad AS, Mantzoros CS, Beck FW, Hess JW, Brewer GJZinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adultsNutrition.(1996 May)
- ^Shahid MN, Khan TM, Neoh CF, Lean QY, Bukhsh A, Karuppannan MEffectiveness of Pharmacological Intervention Among Men with Infertility: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2021)