Low sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. Sperm motility refers to the strength and the endurance of sperm cells to swim towards the egg in order to fertilize it.
Fortunately it is possible to improve sperm motility relatively quickly by selecting the right foods, supplements and herbal remedies. Here are 5 tips to get started:
Fortunately it is possible to improve sperm motility relatively quickly by selecting the right foods, supplements and herbal remedies. Here are 5 tips to get started:
- Eat foods rich in zinc. Low zinc levels in men affect sperm motility, sperm quality and sperm counts. Foods rich in zinc include seafood (particularly oysters!), liver, lean cuts of red meat, nuts and grains.
- Take a vitamin E supplement. Vitamin E protects against free radicals, unstable molecules which damage sperm cells and cause them to become immotile.
- Eat foods rich in selenium. Selenium scavenges free radicals and is used by the testes to make selenoproteins, a vital protein required in sperm formation. Well formed sperm are more likely to be motile than sperm with poor morphology. Foods rich in selenium include eggs, brewer's yeast, brazil nuts, garlic and seafood.
- Eat foods rich in L-carnitine. L-carnitine is an amino acid used in the production of sperm, and scientific studies have shown that men increasing their intake of the amino acid improved sperm motility and sperm quality over a period of 4 months. L-carnitine-rich foods include lean cuts of meat and dairy products.
- Take herbs such as maca root and ginger. Both are non-toxic herbs which have been used by other cultures, for example in Traditional Chinese Medicine and South American Medicine, to improve male fertility. They are particularly beneficial for improving sperm motility and are ingredients in FertilPlus.
To download a practical, step-by-step guide to increase sperm count, containing natural ways to improve sperm motility, visit http://www.MaleFertilitySuccess.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shola_Oslo
Various forms of the supplement L-carnitine may improve sperm function and thereby provide benefit in male infertility.For example, in one double-blind study, 60 men with abnormal sperm function were given either carnitine (as L-carnitine 2 g/day and acetyl-L-carnitine 1 g/day) or placebo for 6 months. The results showed significant improvement in sperm function in the treated group as compared to the placebo group.
A similarly sized 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which involved men with low sperm counts, found benefits with carnitine (again as L-carnitine 2 g/day and acetyl-L-carnitine at 1 g/day) taken alone or carnitine combined with the anti-inflammatory drug cinnoxicam.
In addition, a 2-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 100 men with various forms of infertility found probable benefits with 2 g daily of L-carnitine
mdweb.com - An antisperm antibody test looks for special proteins (antibodies) that fight against a man's sperm in blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. The test uses a sample of sperm and adds a substance that binds only to affected sperm.
Semen can cause an immune system response in either the man's or woman's body. The antibodies can damage or kill sperm. If a high number of sperm antibodies come into contact with a man's sperm, it may be hard for the sperm to fertilize an egg. The couple has a hard time becoming pregnant. This is called immunologic infertility.
A woman can have an allergic reaction to her partner's semen and make sperm antibodies. This kind of immune response is not fully understood but may affect fertility. This is a rare cause of infertility.
Why It Is Done
The antisperm antibody test may be done if:- A cause for infertility cannot be found. Experts disagree about the usefulness of the test because the result may not change the treatment.
- The results from another fertility test, such as the postcoital test, are not clear.
How To Prepare
Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean.Blood sample
For women, a blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm.Semen sample
For men, a semen sample is collected after the blood and vaginal fluid samples are taken. You should not release your sperm (ejaculate) for 2 days before the test. It is important to not go longer than 5 days before the test without ejaculating.How It Is Done
Blood sample from the woman
The health professional taking a sample of your blood will:- Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein.
- Clean the needle site with alcohol.
- Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed.
- Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood.
- Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected.
- Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.
- Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage.
Semen sample
A semen sample is collected by masturbation. You should urinate and then wash and rinse your hands and penis before collecting the semen in a sterile cup. You cannot use lubricants or condoms when collecting the sample. If you collect the semen sample at home, be sure to get it to the lab or clinic within 1 hour. Keep the sample at body temperature and out of direct sunlight. The sample cannot be collected by having sexual intercourse and then withdrawing when you ejaculate because vaginal fluid may be mixed with the sperm.Blood test
The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch.Semen sample
Collecting a semen sample does not cause any discomfort. If masturbation is against your religious beliefs, talk with your doctor.
Risks
Blood test
There is very little chance of a problem from having blood sample taken from a vein.- You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes.
- In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this.
- Ongoing bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning medicines can make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medicine, tell your doctor before your blood sample is taken.
Semen sample
Usually there are no problems from collecting a semen sample.Results
An antisperm antibody test looks for special proteins (antibodies) that fight against a man's sperm in blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. The higher the level of antibody-affected sperm found in the semen, the lower the chance of the sperm fertilizing an egg.What Affects the Test
Collecting a semen sample within 48 hours of ejaculating or after not ejaculating for longer than 5 days may affect the results of this test.What To Think About
- Experts disagree about the usefulness of the test because the result may not change the treatment. Most people who have infertility problems because of sperm antibodies choose assisted reproductive technology to become pregnant.
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