CoQ10 Associated with Male Health

A recently published study investigated the role that deficiency of the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may play in certain types of male infertility. Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to get pregnant after trying for at least one year without contraception. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that approximately 15 percent of couples are infertile and one-third of cases are due to male factors.

This new study analyzed CoQ10 levels in the seminal plasma in 60 men with low sperm count (oligozoospermia), lack of sperm (azoospermia) or low sperm motility (asthenozoospermia). The researchers also measured levels of malondialdehyde in the seminal plasma to determine levels of oxidative stress. The results were compared to 39 healthy males.

The study found that CoQ10 levels in the seminal plasma were significantly lower in the infertile males compared to the healthy males. In addition, the seminal plasma malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the infertile males compared to the control group, indicating that infertile males have increased oxidative stress. Furthermore, the study showed that as CoQ10 levels decreased, malondialdehyde levels proportionately increased.

The researchers concluded, “Elevated seminal plasma CoQ10 levels are associated directly with good semen parameters and inversely with the oxidative stress.”

Reference:

Abdul-Rasheed OF, Farid YY, Al-Nasiri US. Coenzyme Q10 and oxidative stress markers in seminal plasma of Iraqi patients with male infertility. Saudi Med J. 2010 May;31(5):501-6.

CoQ10-H2™, the active, antioxidant form of Coenzyme Q10 that offers a greater degree of bioavailability, is available here.