Vitamin A Sperm Relation: Everything You Need To Know
You may have heard about the importance of vitamins for body health all your life. Besides their important role in different body functions, vitamins can also improve sperm health and boost male fertility.
Vitamin A is among the fertility vitamins that provide many fertility benefits to males. This vitamin contributes to the development and maturation of sperm cells.
But how does vitamin A sperm work? And how does it compare with other fertility vitamins like vitamin C?
In this article, we will discuss the science behind the working of vitamin A for male fertility. We will also mention some common sources of vitamin A to include in the diet for fertility benefits.
Science Behind The Working Of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and it has many antioxidant properties [1]. This vitamin naturally exists in two forms, which are retinol and carotenoids [2]. Your body can utilize both forms of vitamin A for sperm production and boosting male fertility.
Studies show that the sperm cells in the body are always at risk of damage by oxidative stress [3]. Due to its antioxidant properties, vitamin A can protect sperm from oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Research shows that vitamins are necessary for cell differentiation and maturity during spermatogenesis — a process of sperm formation [4].
A study by International Journal of Epidemiology shows that vitamin A supports testosterone production [5]. A healthy testosterone level improves sperm production and enhances overall fertility status.
How to Obtain Vitamin A Naturally?
While you can get vitamin A through supplements, many people prefer to obtain this vitamin through natural foods. This is because foods containing vitamin A also provide you with many other essential nutrients.
Here are some natural sources of vitamin A:
- Cooked Beef Liver
- Cooked Lamb Liver
- Cod Liver Oil
- Cooked Salmon Fish
- Cooked Tuna Fish
- Butter
- Eggs
- Oyster
Deficiency Of Vitamin A
According to experts, the daily dosage of vitamin A for adult men is 900 micrograms and 700 micrograms for adult women [6]. If your daily consumption is less than the recommended amount, you can suffer the complications of vitamin A deficiency.
A 2019 study shows that a deficiency of vitamin A causes an early cut-off of the sperm regeneration cycle [7]. Supporting sperm regeneration with essential nutrients like vitamin A can play a vital role in boosting male fertility and overall reproductive health. Vitamin A deficiency can result in decreased sperm count and poor sperm motility.
Overconsumption Of Vitamin A
As much as it is important to prevent deficiency of nutrients, it is also equally important to overconsume them. Overconsumption of Vitamin A, especially when you consume the retinoid form, can be harmful.
Reports show that overconsumption or toxicity of vitamin A causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, irritability, and blurred vision [8].
It's important to measure the amounts of vitamin A in your diet to avoid toxicity. Regular check-ups and blood tests are effective ways to ensure that your serum vitamin A levels are within a healthy range. If you are taking supplements for vitamin A, you must consult your healthcare provider first for effective results.
Other Fertility Vitamins
In addition to vitamin A, there are a few other vitamins that regulate sperm health and improve male fertility. A good example of men’s vitamin for fertility is the role of vitamin C for sperm health.
A 2023 study shows that vitamin C acts as an excellent antioxidant to protect sperm cells from damage within the body [9]. Vitamin C and sperm are also associated as vitamin C provides immunity benefits which can indirectly promote reproductive health.
B vitamins are another group of fertility vitamins with a range of fertility benefits. A 2022 Study Journal Of Cellular And Molecular Medicine shows that B vitamins are vital for DNA synthesis in sperm, supporting sperm production [10].
Vitamin Supplements For Fertility
No doubt the best way to obtain vitamins is by eating them in the diet. However, even a balanced diet can leave some nutritional gaps which you can address through male fertility supplements.
Here are two effective vitamin supplements for males to boost their fertility:
Conceive Plus Men’s Fertility Support
Conceive Plus Men’s Fertility Support supplements are packed with vitamin A to fulfill your daily vitamin A requirements. Other fertility vitamins in these supplements include sperm vitamin C, vitamin E, and B vitamins.
Two capsules of fertility support supplements can boost sperm production and improve different sperm parameters such as morphology, count, and motility.
Conceive Plus Men’s Motility Support
Conceive Plus Men’s Motility Support supplements are rich in vitamins to boost sperm motility. These supplements contain vitamin D and vitamin E and are designed to increase sperm volume, improve motility, and enhance overall male fertility.
You can take fertility support and motility support supplements together, available as a “Motility Bundle” for maximum fertility boost. There are no harmful artificial ingredients in these supplements and you can incorporate them into your routine with minimum risks of side effects.
Conclusion: Vitamin A Sperm Relation
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient available from many dietary sources such as meat, eggs, and vegetables. By taking the recommended dosage of vitamin A, you can expect significant improvement in sperm quality, sperm count, and motility.
Deficiency of vitamin A can significantly decrease semen quality, develop abnormal sperm, and negatively impact male reproduction.
In addition to vitamin A, you must also focus on consuming recommended amounts of other fertility vitamins, including vitamins C and B vitamins. By supplying recommended nutrients to your body, you can support reproductive health and improve your overall health and well-being.
Resources Used
- Shastak, Y., Gordillo, A., & Pelletier, W. (2023). The relationship between vitamin A status and oxidative stress in animal production. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 51(1), 546–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2023.2239319
- Craft, N. E., & Furr, H. C. (2018). Methods for assessment of Vitamin A (Retinoids) and carotenoids. Laboratory Assessment of Vitamin Status, 21-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813050-6.00002-4
- Hosen, M. B., Islam, M. R., Begum, F., Kabir, Y., & Hossain Howlader, M. Z. (2015). Oxidative stress induced sperm DNA damage, a possible reason for male infertility. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 13(9), 525-532. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4637119/
- Hogarth, C. A., & Griswold, M. D. (2010). The key role of vitamin A in spermatogenesis. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 120(4), 956-962. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI41303
- Schooling, C. M., & Jones, H. E. (2015). Does Vitamin A Increase Androgens? International Journal of Epidemiology, 44(suppl_1), i257. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyv096.481
- Vitamin A. (2023, September 14). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-a/art-20365945
- Yokota, S., Shirahata, T., Yusa, J., Sakurai, Y., Ito, H., & Oshio, S. (2019). Long-term dietary intake of excessive vitamin A impairs spermatogenesis in mice. The Journal of toxicological sciences, 44(4), 257–271. https://doi.org/10.2131/jts.44.257
- Olson, J. M., Ameer, M. A., & Goyal, A. (2023, September 2). Vitamin A toxicity. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532916/
- Walke, G., Gaurkar, S. S., Prasad, R., Lohakare, T., & Wanjari, M. (2023). The Impact of Oxidative Stress on Male Reproductive Function: Exploring the Role of Antioxidant Supplementation. Cureus, 15(7). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.42583
- Wang, W., Peng, M., Yuan, H., Liu, C., Zhang, Y., Fang, Y., Su, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, H., Tang, Y., & Zhao, K. (2022). Studying the mechanism of sperm DNA damage caused by folate deficiency. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 26(3), 776-788. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.17119
