Sperm quality directly impacts pregnancy rates and is closely linked to eugenics. According to the latest issue of Britain's New Scientist magazine, to study the effects of vitamin B on male fertility, scientists at the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands conducted a comparative study involving 107 men who had successfully impregnated their partners and 103 men with fertility issues who had failed to do so after a year of trying.
Analysis of blood and semen samples revealed comparable levels of vitamin B and zinc in both groups. However, men with fertility issues had sperm counts ranging from 5 to 20 million per milliliter, whereas the vast majority of men who successfully impregnated their partners had counts exceeding 20 million per milliliter.
Researchers randomly divided these men into four groups for a 26-week trial: Group 1 received zinc sulfate and a placebo; Group 2 received vitamin B and a placebo; Group 3 received both zinc and vitamin B; Group 4 received two placebos. After the trial, their blood and semen samples were re-examined.
Results showed that among men with fertility issues, those receiving combined zinc and vitamin B supplementation experienced a 74% increase in healthy sperm count, though most remained unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy. No significant changes were observed in other participants.
Researchers remain uncertain why vitamin B and zinc enhance semen concentration. They speculate these substances may influence DNA and transfer RNA synthesis. The study was published in the American journal Fertility and Sterility.