Abstract
Introduction: Complementary and alternative medicines are used frequently, despite a lack of regulation and research into their safety and efficacy. Supplements marketed towards ‘boosting fertility’ are popular, but there is little research into their effects on spermatozoa. Previous studies looking at supplementation of sperm focus on motility rather than biochemical changes, and there is little research regarding potential toxicity in sperm.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether in vitro incubation with maca root induced biochemical changes in ram spermatozoa.
Method: The function and metabolism of ram spermatozoa, incubated in media containing Lepidium meyenii (maca root) were investigated. At 0.5, 3 and 6 hours post-exposure, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry were used to assess motility, viability, acrosome reaction, membrane lipid disorder, mitochondrial superoxide production, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA fragmentation.
Results: Treatment with maca induced acrosome reaction in treated cells (2.02% 0.39 n=3 p <0.001), but there was no difference in viability (73.3%1.49 n=180 p >0.05). There was an increase in mitochondrial superoxide production across all treatments and time points, and maca promoted membrane lipid disorder across all treatments (17.28%0.85 n= 54 p <0.001).
Discussion: The promotion of premature acrosome reaction in absence of an ovum may impact fertility of the male. It is posited that this may be driven by the oestrogenic activity of maca. Oestrogenic activity may also contribute to the higher membrane fluidity of treated sperm, as oestrogen can induce capacitation-like changes. Despite reported antioxidant activity of maca, the increase in mitochondrial superoxide production suggests increased oxidative stress in the presence of maca. Contrary to popular belief that these products enhance fertility, this research indicates that they should be used with caution due to possible negative effects on sperm, and lack of stringent safety data.