Can Tongkat Ali Improve Fertility and Pregnancy Rate?
Can Tongkat Ali improve sperm quality and quantity naturally, thereby improving fertility and pregnancy rate? Many scientific studies have concluded that Tongkat Ali is an excellent natural booster for testosterone. Today we will examine two scientific articles that cover the effects of Tongkat Ali on fertility.
Eurycoma longifolia Jack, also known as Tongkat Ali, Pasak Bumi or Longjack, has been used traditionally in Malaysia as a tonic for vitality, aphrodisiac, as well as enhancement of sexuality and fertility. Studies in the past have found that Tongkat Ali contains, among other things, tannins, high-molecular-weight polysaccharides, glycoprotein, mucopolysaccharides and quassinoid alkaloids, which exhibit anti-malarial, anti-ulcer, anti-tumor, antiparasitic and anti-pyretic activities.
In a study by Dr Ismail Tambi that lasted for 3 years, a total of 350 men identified as having idiopathic infertility (low sperm concentration, decreased motility and abnormal sperm morphology) were given 200 mg of Tongkat Ali extract daily and follow-up semen analyses were performed every 3 months for 9 months. Of these 350 patients, 75 patients (with an average age of 32.7 years and a history of infertility of 5.3 years) completed one full cycle of 3 months. Follow-up semen analyses in these patients showed significant improvement in all semen parameters. Tongkat Ali extract significantly improved the sperm quality in these patients.
There were 11 (14.7%) spontaneous pregnancies during this time, 6 of which were achieved at the completion of the first cycle of treatment and 5 of which were achieved at the completion of two cycles of treatment.
There were statistically significant improvements in sperm concentration and sperm morphology (sperm quantity and quality).
In those men whose female partners became pregnant, sperm motility increased significantly from the initial examination (44.00%) to the first follow-up (56.00%) and the second follow-up (58.60%). A similar trend was seen for the percentage of sperm with normal morphology, which improved from 10.36% at the time of baseline examination to 16.54% at the first follow-up and 16.00% at the second follow-up examination.
According to Dr Ismail, Tongkat Ali’s testosterone-enhancing effect and antioxidant properties may have contributed to its ability to improve fertility. In earlier scientific studies, Tongkat Ali was reported to contain a bioactive peptide, which has been shown to increase the testosterone levels.
As testosterone is important for normal male fertility, a hyperestrogenic state may not be conducive for ideal testicular function.
In a separate study conducted in 2010, it was found that Tongkat Ali increases spermatogenesis and sperm counts in rats after fourteen consecutive days of treatment.
The study concluded that Tongkat Ali extract heightens testicular functioning and inhibits the effects of an excessive estrogen state.
The results of these two studies indicate that sperm quantity and quality can be improved by treating men with Tongkat Ali extract, which in turn can improve the pregnancy rates. Tongkat Ali can be used as a supplement for treating fertility conditions where there is testosterone deficiency or estrogen excess.
Reference: Eurycoma Longifolia Jack In Managing Idiopathic Male Infertility
Mohd Ismail Bin Mohd Tambi, M. Kamarul Imran, Asian Journal of Andrology (2010) 12: 376–380
1Wellmen Clinic, Damai Service Hospital, Kuala Lumpur 52100, Malaysia 2Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kbg Kerian, Kelantan,
The Effect Of Eurycoma Longifolia Jack On Spermatogenesis In Estrogen-Treated Rats
Norhazlina Abdul Wahab, Norfilza M. Mokhtar, Wan Nurul Heriza A Halim, Srijit Das
Clinics vol.65 no.1 São Paulo 2010
Norhazlina Abdul Wahab, Norfilza M. Mokhtar, Wan Nurul Heriza A Halim, Srijit Das
Clinics vol.65 no.1 São Paulo 2010
