How to Optimize Fertility in Males & Females
Huberman Lab
Understanding Male Fertility and Sperm Quality
This chapter explores the biological complexities of male fertility, with a specific focus on sperm generation and the genetic roles of germline cells. It also examines lifestyle factors affecting sperm quality, including nutrition and the impact of drugs.
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
AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman
LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab
Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman
Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman
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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