Choline Dehydrogenase and Sperm Function: Effects of Betaine
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2016-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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.