title: Effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.
abstract: Background/Aims. Products of Lepidium meyenii Walp. (maca) are touted worldwide as an alimentary supplement to enhance fertility and restore hormonal balance. Enhancing properties of maca on semen parameters in animals were previously reported by various authors, but we present to the best of our knowledge the first double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial in men. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of maca on semen parameters and serum hormone levels in healthy adult men. Methods. A group of 20 volunteers aged 20-40 years was supplied by milled hypocotyl of maca or placebo (1.75 g/day) for 12 weeks. Negative controls of semen were compared to the samples after 6 and 12 weeks of maca administration; negative blood controls were compared to the samples after 12 weeks of treatment. Results. Sperm concentration and motility showed rising trends compared to placebo even though levels of hormones did not change significantly after 12 weeks of trial. Conclusion. Our results indicate that maca possesses fertility enhancing properties in men. As long as men prefer to use alimentary supplement to enhance fertility rather than prescribed medication or any medical intervention, it is worth continuing to assess its possible benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melnikovova
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Apolinarska 18, 128 51 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fait
authors.affiliation: Department of Agroecology and Biometeorology, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolarova
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Eloy C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, University of Basilicata, Viale dell'Ateneo Lucano 10, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Milella