Pregnancy support- Vitamin Treatment

Zinc - updated: 03 November 2008

Effects of folic acid and zinc sulfate on male factor subfertility: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled tr

Fertil Steril. 2002 Mar;77(3):491-8

Wong WY, Merkus HM, Thomas CM, Menkveld R, Zielhuis GA, Steegers-Theunissen RP.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of folic acid and zinc sulfate treatment on semen variables in fertile and subfertile men. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled interventional study. SETTING: Two outpatient fertility clinics and nine midwifery practices in The Netherlands. PARTICIPANT(S): One hundred eight fertile and 103 subfertile men. INTERVENTION(S): Both groups were randomly assigned to receive one of four treatments for 26 weeks: folic acid and placebo, zinc sulfate and placebo, zinc sulfate and folic acid, and two placebos. Folic acid was given at a daily dose of 5 mg, and zinc sulfate was given at a daily dose of 66 mg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Before and after treatment, standardized semen and blood samples were obtained for determinations of sperm concentration, motility, and morphology according to World Health Organization guidelines; semen morphology according to strict criteria; and blood folate and zinc concentrations. Effects of the four interventions were evaluated separately in subfertile and fertile men. RESULT(S): Subfertile men demonstrated a significant 74% increase in total normal sperm count and a minor increase of 4% abnormal spermatozoa. A similar trend was observed in fertile men. Pre-intervention concentrations of folate and zinc in blood and seminal plasma did not significantly differ between fertile and subfertile men. CONCLUSION(S): Total normal sperm count increases after combined zinc sulfate and folic acid treatment in both subfertile and fertile men. Although the beneficial effect on fertility remains to be established, this finding opens avenues of future fertility research and treatment and may affect public health.

Publication Types:

• Double-blind, placebo-controlled interventional study

C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism interferes with the effects of folic acid and zinc sulfate on sperm concentration

Fertil Steril. 2003 Nov;80(5):1190-4

Ebisch IM, van Heerde WL, Thomas CM, van der Put N, Wong WY, Steegers-Theunissen RP.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism in fertile and subfertile males, and the MTHFR-dependent response of sperm concentration after folic acid and/or zinc sulfate intervention. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study.Two outpatient fertility clinics and nine midwifery practices in The Netherlands. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirteen fertile and 77 subfertile males.Daily capsules of folic acid (5 mg) and/or zinc sulfate (66 mg), or placebo for 26 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of C677T MTHFR polymorphism and the response of sperm concentration related to MTHFR carriership after intervention treatment. RESULT(S): The C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypes were comparable in fertile and subfertile males. Independent of fertility state, sperm concentration significantly increased in wild-types after folic acid and zinc sulfate treatment only. Heterozygotes and homozygotes did not significantly benefit from either treatment. CONCLUSION(S):C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism is not a risk factor for male factor subfertility. In contrast to heterozygotes and homozygotes for C677T MTHFR polymorphism, sperm concentration in wild-types significantly improved after folic acid and zinc sulfate intervention. A stronger role of other folate genes on spermatogenesis is suggested.

Publication Types:

• Double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study

The effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcome

JAMA. 1995 Aug 9;274(6):463-8

Goldenberg RL, Tamura T, Neggers Y, Copper RL, Johnston KE, DuBard MB, Hauth JC.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate whether zinc supplementation during pregnancy is associated with an increase in birth weight. DESIGN--A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. SETTING--Outpatient clinic and delivery service at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. PATIENTS--Five hundred eighty medically indigent but otherwise healthy African-American pregnant women with plasma zinc levels below the median at enrollment in prenatal care, randomized at 19 weeks' gestational age. Women were subdivided by the population median body mass index of 26 kg/m2 into two groups for additional analyses. INTERVENTION--Women who were taking a non-zinc-containing prenatal multivitamin/mineral tablet were randomized to receive either a daily dose of 25 mg of zinc or a placebo until delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Birth weight, gestational age at birth, and head circumference at birth. RESULTS--In all women, infants in the zinc supplement group had a significantly greater birth weight (126 g, P = .03) and head circumference (0.4 cm, P = .02) than infants in the placebo group. In women with a body mass index less than 26 kg/m2, zinc supplementation was associated with a 248-g higher infant birth weight (P = .005) and a 0.7-cm larger infant head circumference (P = .007). Plasma zinc concentrations were significantly higher in the zinc supplement group. CONCLUSIONS--Daily zinc supplementation in women with relatively low plasma zinc concentrations in early pregnancy is associated with greater infant birth weights and head circumferences, with the effect occurring predominantly in women with a body mass index less than 26 kg/m2.

Publication Types:

• Placebo Controlled

ZINC AND SMALL BABIES

The Lancet Volume 318, Issue 8256, 21 November 1981, Pages 1135-1137

N. J. Meadowsa, M. F. Smitha, P. W. N. Keelinga, W. Rusea, J. Daya, J. W. Scopesa, R. P. H. Thompsona and D. L. Bloxam

The content of zinc in peripheral-blood leucocytes decreased from the second trimester of normal pregnancy, but was significantly lower in mothers giving birth to babies who were small for gestational age than in mothers with either normal or small, but appropriate for gestational age, preterm babies. Maternal plasma zinc concentrations were similar in all groups at delivery. Leucocyte zinc correlated positively with muscle zinc levels. These data suggest that maternal tissue zinc depletion is associated with fetal growth retardation

Publication Types:

• Review

Publication Types:

• Review