GLOSSARY

Amino acids:

are the smallest building blocks of proteins. They are vital for the human body and are (in addition to the nucleic acids) the basic building blocks of life. We distinguish between essential amino acids that are ingested with food and non-essential amino acids that are produced by the body itself.

Antioxidants:

Micronutrients can be described as, among other antioxidants, they protect the organism against aggressive oxidizing agents, also called “free radicals”.

Asthenozoospermia:

Reduction of sperm motility by > 50%. The sperm are either immobile or slow.

Azoospermia:

Absence of mature and immature sperm in the ejaculate

Ejaculate:

Semen from sperm and secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles

Fertility:

It begins with puberty in young men and decreases with age. In women, it begins with menarche (first menstrual period) and ends with menopause. With increasing age we see a decrease sperm count and  quality and number of eggs.

Infertility:

According to WHO, a couple is considered infertile if after “A year of unprotected regular intercourse” no conception takes place.

Macro-and micronutrients :

Life requires energy and this can only be produced by combustion ( oxidation). Macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) that serve this process are included in the diet as an energy supplier or oxidizing agents. In order to allow a moderate oxidation, enzymes and excipients are required. These so-called adjuvants the organism can not produce for itself, but must be taken with food as micronutrients. Food macronutrients that serve as fuel and micronutrients as essential auxiliaries are supplied by a healthy balanced diet, One can imagine that an imbalance in the supply of macro and micro nutrients can damage the body. If the fuels are increased and the auxiliaries decreased then the body may damage itself. These micronutrients can be described as protecting the body against aggressive oxidizing agents, also called “free radicals” .

Micronutrients:

Are vital substances in food, dietetic foods and food supplements. Everyone needs a different requirement of micronutrients to include vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, minerals, fatty acids and phytochemicals. In order to keep the body strong and efficient and to promote healing, it needs at least the required daily amount of such nutrients.

Minerals:

are inorganic vital nutrients that must be supplied to the body through diet (e.g. copper, selenium, zinc). There are lot of elements (found in large concentrations in the body) and trace elements (in small concentrations occurring).

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myo-Inositol:

is a natural occuring substance in the human body and important for the insulin sensitizing function of cells. It plays an important role in cellular shape and structure, in lipid manufacture, in the structure and function of cell membranes, and in cell growth (especially germ cells and spermatogenesis). Scientific evidence shows that dietary supplementation with myo - Inositol helps to improve sperm quality and quantity. Its role includes a specific biological activity regarding control of fat metabolism, sugars and cellular functions of the nervous system. In the case of insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, myo - Inositol helps to improve the overall clinical picture and is useful preventing and correcting the metabolic abnormalities and reproductive difficulties. 

Necrozoospermia:

All or a significant amount of sperm in the ejaculate is dead 

Normozoospermia:

normal quality of sperm. The number of sperm is about 20 million per milliliter of ejaculate, 30% are normally shaped and 50% good move.

Oligozoospermia:

The number of sperm is significantly reduced (<10 Mill / ml ejaculate)

Parvosemia:

The volume of ejaculate is significantly reduced

Sertoli cell-only syndrome:

a Germinalaplasie (special form of testicular infertility). Absence of spermatozoa.

Spermatogenesis:

Seed maturation. The development of the spermatogonia to sperm cell takes at least 64 days. It is hormonally controlled and is very sensitive to endogenous and exogenous influences. About 1000 sperm are produced per second that are approximately three to four million per hour. A balanced diet, nicotine and alcohol reduction, relaxation and regular physical activity has a positive effect on the sperm cell formation.

Semen analysis:

It provides information on the semen quality and thus shed light on male fertility. Since the sperm quality may vary in the ejaculate for the diagnosis of “infertility” there should always be two semen analyses. The following parameters are evaluated: sperm density, motility, morphology.

Sperm:

are mature germ cells (sperm).

Teratozoospermia:

> 40% dysmorphic, abnormal shaped sperm.

Varicocele:

Varicose veins in the testicles

Vitamins:

are essential organic food ingredients. In the absence of supply, deficiency symptoms can occur (eg, vitamin E, folic acid). They are particular important for the immune system and the nervous system and act as antioxidants protect the body from free radicals.