Dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) improves seminal antioxidant status and decreases sperm DNA fragmentation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) dietary supplementation on semen quality, fatty acid composition, antioxidant capacity, and DNA fragmentation. In this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 74 subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to either the placebo group (n=32) or to the DHA group (n=42) to consume three 500-mg capsules of oil per day over 10 weeks. The placebo group received 1,500 mg/day of sunflower oil and the DHA group 1,500 mg/day of DHA-enriched oil. Seminal parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and vitality), total antioxidant capacity, deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation, and lipid composition were evaluated prior to the treatment and after 10 weeks. Finally, 57 subjects were included in the study with 25 in the placebo group and 32 in the DHA group. No differences were found in traditional sperm parameters or lipid composition of the sperm membrane after treatment. However, an increase in DHA and Omega-3 fatty acid content in seminal plasma, an improvement in antioxidant status, and a reduction in the percentage of spermatozoa with deoxyribonucleic acid damage were observed in the DHA group after 10 weeks of treatment.

Effects of different n6/n3 ratios and supplementation with DHA and EPA on the testicular histology and lipogenesis in streptozotocin-treated rats

“…In contrast, the addition of DHA and 20:5n3 (EPA) improved oxidative status in testicular tissue, measured as MDA‐TBARS. Dietary supplementation with DHA can improve total antioxidant capacity in seminal plasma (Martínez‐Soto et al., ). Several investigations have shown that DHA modulates the expression of genes encoding for different antioxidant proteins (Arab, Rossary, Flourie, Tourneur, & Steghens, ; Casañas‐Sánchez et al., ).…”

The influence of omega‐3 fatty acids on semen quality markers: a systematic PRISMA review

“…Safarinejad () found a significant increase in sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, and normal morphology, and Martinez‐Soto et al . () discovered a reduction in sperm DNA fragmentation among men treated with omega‐3 capsules. Conquer et al .…”

“…Four studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), four studies were case–control trials, and eight studies were cross‐sectional. The RCTs investigated the effect of supplementation with omega‐3 FA on semen parameters in men with either a history of infertility (Conquer et al ., ; Safarinejad, ; Gonzalez‐Ravina et al ., ) or men undergoing evaluation for infertility (Martinez‐Soto et al ., ) (Table ). The observational studies examined whether there was an association between different dietary patterns, food groups or FA and fertility markers in semen (Table ).…”

“…Supplementation with omega‐3 capsules containing DHA or a combination of EPA and DHA was found to improve at least one fertility marker in semen in three out of four RCTs (Safarinejad, ; Martinez‐Soto et al ., ; Gonzalez‐Ravina et al ., ).…”

“…() used a formula with minimum 90% omega‐3 (percentages of DHA and EPA not specified) and Martinez‐Soto et al . () used a preparation with 76.2% DHA. Percentages of omega‐3 FA in the supplement used by Safarinejad () were not specified, but the author states that the daily supplement consisted of 1.12 g EPA and 0.72 mg DHA.…”