Saturday, September 8, 2012

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) in managing idiopathic male infertility

In view of Singapore's decreasing birthrate, it seems that there is at least one herb which can serve as an appropriate supplement for men with subfertility/infertility or decreased sperm count. In a paper published by clinical andrologist Tambi et al, "Eurycoma longifolia Jack in managing idiopathic male infertility," the study suggests that "treatment with the proprietary standardized extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack [or Tongkat ali] significantly improves semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm in men with idiopathic infertility."

Tambi explains, "Male infertility is a multifactorial disease, with numerous factors contributing to both reduced spermatogenesis and the production of dysfunctional sperm, which are the most prevalent underlying characteristics found in cases of idiopathic male infertility."

In this study, the 75 male participants were selected from "a total of 350 male partners from sub-fertile couples attending the Wellmen Clinic, Damai Service Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia" who "were identified as having idiopathic infertility, in the setting of low sperm concentration, decreased motility and abnormal sperm morphology." Each treatment cycle with Tongkat ali lasted 3 months, for a total of 3 cycles. Tambi et al concluded that the "study clearly shows an improvement in the main seminal parameters in infertile patients treated with the proprietary standardized water-soluble extract of Eurycoma longifolia Jack, with significant increases in sperm concentration and the percentage of sperm with normal morphology after each treatment cycle." However, "the exact mechanism of action of this extract at the level of the reproductive cell remains unknown."

Low sperm count in males has many causes. "Among the causes of male infertility, the prominent ones namely idiopathic infertility, followed with varicocele, maldescended testes, infections, hormonal causes and genetic effects," wrote Tambi.

Within the Singaporean psycho-social context, it is most probable that emotional stress, obesity, and age (later marriages) play an important part. If subfertility or poor sperm quality is due to such reversible and non-pathological causes, it might be a good option to use this herbal supplement in the management of this condition. And of course, Tongkat ali can be an option in the management of idiopathic male infertility.

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