Choline Dehydrogenase and Sperm Function: Effects of Betaine

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2016-07-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Male

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.

• Phase: Phase 1
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Treatments: Betaine; Choline

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 - 60 year old men of multiple races and ethnicities

• Estimated dietary intake of betaine of <150 mg/day

• Carrying two alleles of the rs 12676 single nucleotide polymorphism

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency

• Currently taking betaine supplements

• Currently receiving chemotherapy, radiation or any gonadotoxic drug

• Female gender