VITAMIN D BOOSTS SPERM QUALITY

Vitamin D boosts sperm quality

                 Would-be fathers should spend time under the sun as its exposure boosts sperm quality, say experts.A study of 340 men found that vitamin D, produced by the body when exposed to the sun, boosts the quality of sperm. They become better at swimming towards the egg, have greater speed and are more penetrative, Daily Mail reported Saturday quoting researchers at the University of Copenhagen. Researchers tested the quality of sperm from 300 men chosen at random and carried out a detailed analysis of samples from a further 40 in the laboratory, the daily said.At the same time, the level of vitamin D in their blood was measured. Almost half had an insufficient amount - linked to lack of exposure to natural sunlight or time in a solarium.

              Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D, which helps regulate levels of calcium and phosphorus to generate healthy bones.The findings, published in the journal Human Reproduction, back up previous research linking vitamin D to sperm production, and might explain why many couples seem to conceive on holiday.Researchers discovered that almost half of the participants had an insufficient amount of vitamin D, below 50 nmol/l. The optimum level recommended by most experts is a minimum of 75 nmol/l, according to the newspaper.

                                                                 Prof. John Kurakar