Oxidative Stress Can Stop Sperm From “Smelling” Their Way to the Egg
A new study by Sanchez et al (Fertility & Sterility, Jan 2010) showed how high levels of reactive oxygen species (“oxidative stress”) can decrease the ability of sperm to swim towards the follicular fluid which surrounds the egg at ovulation. Normally sperm can “smell” or orient their movement towards this follicular fluid, to make sure they get to the egg at the right time to fertilize it. This is called chemotaxis. It isn’t really “smelling” but it is a chemical beckoning of the sperm toward the fluid which bathes the egg in the ovary and which is released with the egg into the Fallopian Tube at ovulation.
Sperm can be exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in men with low grade (often unnoticed) genital infections and men that have some kinds of infertility. For most men, semen contains antioxidants that protect sperm from excess ROS damage. Infertile men have statistically lower levels of antioxidants in their semen, and thus can have higher levels of ROS.
Although the clinical impact of this study’s finding haven’t been proven yet, it suggests that sperm from men with high levels of ROS in their semen, may lose the ability to “smell” and swim specifically towards the egg, as well as sperm from men with normal ROS levels in their semen.
What can you do to optimize your fertility?
Rule out any subclinical genital infections if you are having trouble conceiving. This includes making sure any semen analysis specifically stains for and counts white blood cell presence.
Try antioxidant fertility vitamins (such as FertilAid) when trying to conceive. Laboratory studies have also shown that arabinogalactan (part of Pre-Seed’s© patented formula) can limit oxidative stress (or ROS) damage of sperm.
Dr. E
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