Protein supplementation intake for bodybuilding and resistance training may impact sperm quality of subfertile men undergoing fertility treatment: a pilot study

Semen quality among young healthy men taking protein supplements

“…Our findings contrast with those of Ketheeswaran et al, who observed more than a doubling in median sperm concentration and total sperm count in subfertile men attending fertility treatment, who were asked to stop using supplements (15). However, that study was based on a small sample of only 20 men and had no control group, and therefore no way of assessing whether the findings were merely a matter of regression toward the mean.…”

“…To our knowledge, only one published study has examined the association between PS and semen quality. In that study, Ketheeswaran et al reported more than a doubling in median semen concentration and total sperm count among 20 subfertile men after abstaining from PS for a median of 4.5 months (15). However, this study was based on a small and selected population, had no control group, and did not take into account other potential lifestyle changes during the abstinence period.…”

Only the Best of the Bunch—Sperm Preparation Is Not Just about Numbers

“…While the science on supplementation is far from settled, studies have shown a significant (2.6-fold) increase in sperm concentration after abstaining from supplementation. 43 What is known is that awareness of potential impacts of gym use and supplementation on male fertility is low among both men and women 42 —clearly more educational interventions are needed.…”

Male subfertility and oxidative stress

“…AAS use has been related to weakened sperm quality. Abstinence from ASS supplementation does significantly increase the median sperm concentration, that was 2.6 (95% CI: 1.1–5.8) times higher than the baseline median sperm concentration [ 106 ]. A recent study showed that the use of AAS is positively related with the number of hours participants exercised per week.…”