{"title":"Dietary Fatty Acids as Modulators of Sperm Quality - From Molecular Pathways to Nutritional Interventions.","authors":"Xin-Yu Yang, Si-Qi Wei, Peng-Sheng Zheng","doi":"10.1080/19390211.2025.2539882","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infertility affects a growing number of families worldwide. Male factors contribute to 20-50% of infertility cases, and their improvement can help reduce the rising infertility rates. Recent studies have increasingly shown that fatty acids (FAs) can modulate sperm quality and significantly impact male fertility. This review investigates recent studies on the role of FAs in infertility, including their impact on sperm quality, FA profiles in infertility-related conditions, and the therapeutic potential of dietary and supplemental FAs. Our review reveals that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are crucial for spermatogenesis and sperm function, and their imbalance with omega-6 PUFAs is associated with oxidative stress. FA metabolism is a promising target for infertility management. Precision nutrition strategies may complement conventional therapies, but further RCTs are needed to standardize protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":15646,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Dietary Supplements","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Dietary Supplements","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2025.2539882","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"NUTRITION & DIETETICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Infertility affects a growing number of families worldwide. Male factors contribute to 20-50% of infertility cases, and their improvement can help reduce the rising infertility rates. Recent studies have increasingly shown that fatty acids (FAs) can modulate sperm quality and significantly impact male fertility. This review investigates recent studies on the role of FAs in infertility, including their impact on sperm quality, FA profiles in infertility-related conditions, and the therapeutic potential of dietary and supplemental FAs. Our review reveals that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are crucial for spermatogenesis and sperm function, and their imbalance with omega-6 PUFAs is associated with oxidative stress. FA metabolism is a promising target for infertility management. Precision nutrition strategies may complement conventional therapies, but further RCTs are needed to standardize protocols.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Dietary Supplements (formerly the Journal of Nutraceuticals, Functional & Medical Foods) has been retitled to reflect the bold departure from a traditional scientific journal presentation to a leading voice for anyone with a stake in dietary supplements. The journal addresses important issues that meet the broad range of interests from researchers, regulators, marketers, educators, and health professionals from academic, governmental, industry, healthcare, public health, and consumer education sectors. This vital tool not only presents scientific information but interprets it - helping you more readily pass it on to your students, patients, clients, or company.