How to Optimize Fertility in Males & Females
Huberman Lab
Fertility Fundamentals: The Biology of Reproduction
This chapter examines the biological foundations of fertility, including the roles of somatic and germline cells, chromosomes, and hormonal cycles in reproduction. It highlights key processes like ovulation, menstruation, and the intricate hormonal interactions that influence reproductive health.
I discuss the mechanisms by which human eggs and sperm are generated, the ovulatory/menstrual cycle, the conception process and overall fertility in males and females. I also explain how, regardless of whether you seek to conceive children, optimizing egg and sperm health is directly related to vitality and longevity. I cover nutritional, behavioral, supplemental, and medicinal approaches to optimizing egg and sperm health, the ovulatory/menstrual cycle and fertility. In addition, I explain lifestyle choices that greatly assist or harm fertility—several of which are very surprising. I provide science-based protocols for those trying to conceive children. The tools and principles I discuss can also improve overall vitality and longevity for everyone, regardless of age.
Thank you to our sponsors
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Timestamps
(00:00:00) Fertility, Vitality & Longevity
(00:04:24) Sponsors: LMNT
(00:08:20) Eggs & Sperm, Genes, Fertilization
(00:18:28) Puberty: Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Melatonin & Leptin
(00:23:38) Onset Trends of Puberty, Odors Effects
(00:27:44) Female Puberty, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
(00:31:46) Sponsor: AG1
(00:36:34) Ovulatory & Menstrual Cycle
(00:40:36) Follicular Phase: Egg Maturation & Ovulation, FSH & Estrogen
(00:51:09) Luteal Phase: Progesterone & Estrogen, Menstruation
(00:58:14) Ovulation & Libido; Luteal Phase & Malaise; Individual Variability
(01:04:18) Sex Chromosomes, Sperm
(01:11:40) Tool: Testicular Temperature & Fertility
(01:17:22) Sperm Production, Seminal Fluid, Vasectomy
(01:24:07) Sperm Cells, Mitochondria & Motility, Intercourse Frequency & Fertilization
(01:28:31) Sperm Production, GnRH, FSH, LH & Testosterone
(01:36:21) Ejaculate Quality, Sperm Counts, Fertilization, Ectopic Pregnancy
(01:44:14) Tool: Sexual Intercourse Frequency & Fertilization
(01:53:24) Tools: Tracking Ovulation, Libido, Lubricants
(01:56:42) Fecundability: Egg Quality & Woman’s Age, Cumulative Pregnancy Rate
(02:08:17) Miscarriages, Chromosomal Abnormalities
(02:11:23) Female Fertility: Age, Follicle Testing & Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Testing
(02:18:51) Male Fertility: Sperm Analysis, Age
(02:24:52) Fertility & Hormone Analysis, Age
(02:29:07) Fertility Effects of Sleep, Cortisol/Stress, Cannabis/Nicotine & Alcohol
(02:42:40) Fertility, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Viral Infection & Cystic Fibrosis
(02:47:42) Tool: Testicular Temperature & Fertility
(02:51:26) Tool: Phones & Sperm Quality
(02:58:06) Deliberate Cold Exposure & Fertility, Testicular Temperature, Cortisol/Stress
(03:05:43) Fertility, Exercise & Mitochondrial Health; Intermittent Fasting
(03:14:46) Testosterone Replacement Therapy & Sperm Production; Supplements
(03:20:36) Sex Determination in Offspring, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Sperm Fractions
(03:32:23) Postcoital Female Position & Fertilization, Sperm Quality
(03:36:57) Cannabis & Sperm Motility, Libido, Pregnancy
(03:42:33) Acupuncture, Fertility & Pregnancy
(03:49:25) Fertility Supplements: L-Carnitine & Allicin, Coenzyme Q10
(03:56:18) Fertility Supplements: Inositol, Omega 3 Fatty Acids
(04:02:50) Supplements for Hormones: Tongkat Ali, Shilajit, Zinc
(04:13:02) Fertility & Prescription Medications
(04:16:44) Human Reproduction & Fertility
(04:20:12) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Newsletter
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