Q10 supplements can improve sperm quality and testosterone levels

Poor sperm quality is the underlying cause in about half of all cases of involuntary childlessness. Diet and lifestyle are also well-known contributing factors. According to a meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, Q10 supplementation may increase sperm count, sperm motility, and testosterone levels. The authors also describe how Q10 supports cellular energy metabolism and acts as a vital antioxidant that protects sperm cells and other cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.

Over the past few decades, male sperm quality has plummeted, and there may be many causes ranging from unhealthy diets and stress to various environmental factors. Poor sperm quality can result either from a low sperm count or from impaired motility, where only a few sperm manage to reach the woman’s egg for fertilization. Low levels of the male sex hormone testosterone and other hormonal imbalances also play a key role in reduced sperm quality.
Moreover, sperm cells are highly vulnerable to oxidative stress caused by free radicals. We all produce free radicals in connection with normal metabolic processes, but this radical formation should ideally remain within a limited range. The impact of free radicals increases with stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, environmental toxins, electromagnetic radiation, and ageing. In cases of oxidative stress, there are too many free radicals relative to the body’s protective antioxidants. This imbalance allows free radicals to spiral out of control, attacking and damaging cells and tissues, including the DNA in sperm cells. This process, called DNA fragmentation, can prevent a fertilized egg from developing properly, leading to early rejection of the embryo.
As the evidence suggests, oxidative stress plays a major role in declining male fertility. However, previous research on the effect of antioxidants such as Q10 has produced mixed results. The aim of the new study was to investigate how Q10 supplementation affects sperm quality measured by parameters such as semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, morphology, and motility. The study also examined Q10’s effect on testosterone and on hormones like FSH and LH. It has been established that men with impaired testicular function often have low levels of FSH and elevated levels of LH. The study also measured levels of inhibin B, a protein involved in hormone production.

Q10 supplements improve sperm quality and hormone balance

The researchers screened 2,144 studies from databases such as Cochrane, EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science, ultimately selecting eight suitable studies. These included 877 men aged 18-50 years, with 462 receiving Q10 supplements and 415 receiving a placebo as the control group. In the various studies, the men were given 50-200 mg of Q10 daily for 3-6 months.
The meta-analysis showed that Q10 supplementation significantly:

• Increased total sperm count
• Increased sperm motility
• Increased the formation of normally shaped sperm
• Increased testosterone levels
• Increased levels of inhibin B

The researchers conclude that Q10 supplementation may be a relevant intervention for improving male fertility.

What is Q10, and how does it work optimally?

Q10 is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy metabolism. It also functions as a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress, including the cell’s energy-producing mitochondria and DNA.
Diet provides relatively modest amounts of Q10. The body produces most of the compound, but the endogenous synthesis gradually declines from around the age of 20. Certain mitochondrial diseases and the use of statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) can also reduce Q10 synthesis.
Q10 switches between two forms: ubiquinone (which supports energy production) and ubiquinol (which acts as an antioxidant). This conversion process requires a selenium-dependent enzyme, allowing Q10 to shift forms according to the cell’s needs. Unfortunately, selenium deficiency is common in our part of the world due to low selenium levels in the soil.
When choosing a Q10 supplement, it is advisable to opt for a pharmaceutical-grade product with documented high bioavailability.

References:

Tunmise M Akhigbe et al. Does coenzyme Q10 improve semen quality and circulating testosterone level? a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2025 Jan

Salas-Huetos a et al. The Effect of Nutrients and Dietary Supplements on Sperm Quality Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Advances in Nutrition. 2018