Choline Dehydrogenase and Sperm Function: Effects of Betaine

Summary

The ability of sperm to swim is important for normal fertility. Men with a genetic variation in the gene coding for Choline Dehydrogenase (CHDH) have decreased energy production by sperm, and their sperm do not swim normally. The metabolic product of this gene is a nutrient called betaine (found normally in the diet as a part of many foods such as spinach, beets and grain products). This study tests whether treatment with betaine is safe and whether it can normalize energy production in sperm of these men and restore normal swimming ability.

Timeline

Start

2014-04

Primary completion

2016-07

Completion

2016-07

Publications

• Background Johnson AR, Lao S, Wang T, Galanko JA, Zeisel SH. Choline dehydrogenase polymorphism rs12676 is a functional variation and is associated with changes in human sperm cell function. PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e36047. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036047. Epub 2012 Apr 27.

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Indications