Melatonin improves sperm and egg quality

Current research shows that melatonin improves sperm and egg quality and improves IVF outcomes.

Melatonin is a hormone that the pineal gland in the brain produces during the dark hours at night while we are sleeping. Melatonin production is reduced when the retina is exposed to light at night, thus flight attendants, those who work night shifts, and those who have irregular or very late bed times will produce much less melatonin than normal.

Melatonin is an important hormone because it regulates our circadian rhythms and it has powerful anti-oxidant properties.  It is already known to be beneficial in many diseases and protective against certain cancers (ie. Breast cancer). For fertility, melatonin helps scavenge the free-radicals that can damage delicate sperm and egg DNA.

It has been known that semen contains melatonin and that the sperm itself has receptor sites for melatonin. In two different studies that were conducted, men who were diagnosed with abnormal sperm motility and morphology (abnormal sperm movement and shape) had their semen collected and the sperm exposed  short term to high doses of melatonin.  The results of both studies showed that the sperm that underwent this treatment showed improved viable sperm concentration, improved motility and morphology.

In women, melatonin has shown to improve egg maturation and quality. In one study, women undergoing IVF treatment were given melatonin and folic acid. Upon egg retrieval, women who took folic acid and melatonin had significantly higher number of mature and higher quality eggs compared to women who took folic acid only.  The pregnancy rate in those who took the folic acid and melatonin also had higher pregnancy rates (although not statistically significant). 

The implications of these studies could lead the way in improving natural fertility (by simply getting more and better quality sleep) and improving IVF outcomes (reducing emotional and financial strain). These studies also emphasize the importance of reducing oxidative and free-radical damage -- STRESS -- on the body.  Such stress encompasses environmental, dietary, emotional and physical sources.  As your naturopathic doctor, I can help you reduce stress from nearly all sources, thus balancing your body and slowing down the aging process!

Reference:  

Oritz A. et al., J. Pineal Res. 2010 Oct 21.High endogenous melatonin concentrations enhance sperm quality and short-term in vitro exposure to melatonin improves aspects of sperm motility.

Rizzo P, Raffone E, Benedetto V., Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2010 Jun;14(6):555-61. Effect of treatment with myo-inositol plus folic acid plus melatonin in comparison with a treatment with myo-inositol plus folic acid on oocyte qulity and pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles. A prospective clinical trial. 

Tamura H et al., J Pineal Res. 2008 apr;44(3):280-7. Oxidative stress impairs oocyte quality and melatonin protects oocytes from free radical damage and improves fertilization rate.