Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Evaluation of Intracellular Location of Reactive Oxygen Species in Solea Senegalensis Spermatozoa
Published on: March 11, 2018
Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of smokers
E B Dawson1, W A Harris, M C Teter
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555.
Objective:
To determine the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the sperm quality of heavy smokers.
Design:
Microscopic examination of semen for 1 month during supplementation with placebo or ascorbic acid at dose levels of 200 or 1,000 mg/d.
Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Participants:
Seventy-five men (20 to 35 years old) randomly divided into one of three supplementation groups: placebo, 200 mg and 1,000 mg of ascorbic acid.
Main Outcome:
Improvement in sperm quality as compared with presupplementation levels and between the three treatment groups.
Results:
The placebo group showed no improvement in sperm quality. The groups receiving ascorbic acid showed improvement in sperm quality with most improvement in the 1,000-mg group. Pearson's correlation showed statistically significant relationships between the weekly group means of serum and seminal plasma ascorbic acid levels and sperm qualities.
Conclusions:
Ascorbic acid supplementation of heavy smokers in excess of 200 mg/d results in improved sperm quality.
Related Concept Videos
Spermatogenesis
Infertility in Males

