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So You Want To Be a Dad?
If you are thinking about becaming a father please read the following information:
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A male factor is involved in up to 50% of clinical infertility cases, making preconception care for both partners absolutely essential for the best chances of achieving a successful, healthy pregnancy.1 |
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Proper development of the placenta is largely dependent on the expression of genes from the paternal chromosomes, further supporting the role of the male for optimal pregnancy outcomes.2 |
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Infertility is estimated to affect 15 to 18% of couples in Australia.3 While this is an alarming statistic, it is important to remember that many risk factors for infertility, including obesity, toxicity, stress, and oxidative damage, are modifiable through dietary and lifestyle intervention. |
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| References |
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Kumar S, Mishra VV. Review: Toxicants in reproductive fluid and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. Toxicol Ind Health. 2010;26(8):505-11.
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Miozzo M, Simoni G. The role of imprinted genes in fetal growth. Biol Neonate. 2002;81(4):217-28. Review. |
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Rayner JA, et al. Australian women's use of complementary and alternative medicines to enhance fertility: exploring the experiences of women and practitioners. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009; 9:52. |
Not pregnant yet?
It takes 100 days for sperm to develop (74 to form and 20-30 to mature), therefore addressing sperm health concerns 100 days before conception is important.
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Another reason to watch your waistline: Fat men have bad sperm
By MARIA CHENG AP Medical Writer | AP
Jul 9, 2008
(BARCELONA, Spain) Too many fatty foods are dangerous not only to men's waistlines, but to their sperm production.
In research presented Wednesday at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, scientists found that obese men have worse sperm than normal-weight men.
"There is a very long list of health hazards from being overweight," said Ghiyath Shayeb, the study's lead researcher at the University of Aberdeen. "Now we can add poor semen quality to the list."
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A diet rich in the vitamin folate may protect men against producing abnormal sperm and children with genetic abnormalities, a study suggests.
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Sperm defects caused by exposure to environmental toxins can be passed down the generations, research suggests.
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MayoClinic.com - Special to CNN.com
Do your sperm pass muster? Despite several months of effort, you and your partner haven't yet conceived. You're not ready to seek an infertility evaluation, but you might be wondering whether you're doing all you can to contribute healthy sperm.
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In the general population, for couples that are unable to conceive, the reason is male infertility in at least 25% of cases. For about half of these couples, both the male and female have impaired fertility and so they are unable to conceive together. Of course, most men are fertile. But, if you have never fathered a child, or you are having difficulty conceiving, it is a good idea to determine your fertility status.
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We all know that regular brushing and flossing prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Studies also suggest that good oral hygiene habits may improve fertility in subfertile males.
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L-carnitine, an amino acid, improves sperm quality and motility. Ferulic acid, an antioxidant found in Dong quai, also improves sperm quality. Sperm are highly susceptible to free radical or oxidative damage from environmental toxicants and natural aging. Vitamins C and E, green tea, and selenium are all potent antioxidants that help improve overall reproductive health. Zinc and B vitamins (B6, B 12 and folate) are critical nutrients in male reproductive systems for hormone metabolism, sperm formation and motility.
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Kuriyama et al. report that rats exposed in the womb to a single low dose of a widespread brominated flame retardant become hyperactive and have decreased sperm counts. The effects are observed at an exposure level within the range that has been found in samples of breast milk from US mothers.
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