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Updated: Jul 25, 2025
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A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
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Ascorbic acid is associated with favourable hormonal profiles among infertile males
Matineh Rastegar Panah1, Irtaza Tahir2, Bibiana Garcia-Bailo1
1El-Sohemy Lab, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Frontiers in Reproductive Health
|June 26, 2023
Summary
Ascorbic acid, a potent antioxidant, is linked to improved male fertility. Higher levels correlate with better testosterone profiles, particularly in men over 41, suggesting an age-dependent effect on reproductive hormones.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Male Infertility Research
Background:
- Male factor infertility affects approximately 30% of infertile couples.
- Oxidative stress negatively impacts testosterone synthesis and male fertility.
- Ascorbic acid is a major seminal antioxidant, but its direct impact on male reproductive hormones is not well-understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum ascorbic acid levels and key male reproductive hormones.
- To explore potential age-dependent effects of ascorbic acid on hormonal profiles in infertile men.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 302 infertile males.
- Serum analysis for ascorbic acid, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), prolactin, and estradiol.
- Statistical analysis including correlation and regression models.
Main Results:
- Ascorbic acid showed an inverse association with LH levels after covariate adjustment (P=0.01).
- A positive association between ascorbic acid and total testosterone was observed specifically in males older than 41.6 years (P=0.01).
Conclusions:
- Serum ascorbic acid is associated with hormonal profiles in infertile males.
- Findings suggest ascorbic acid may contribute to higher testosterone levels and improved androgenic status, with effects potentially influenced by age.
Keywords:
ascorbic acidhormonesmale infertilitynutritionreproductionsexual healthtestosteronevitamin CMore Related Videos
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