New Delhi

Yoga may significantly improve sperm quality and reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage in men with infertility, researchers at AIIMS here have found.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Yoga ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21, add to the growing evidence that lifestyle interventions such as yoga can play an important role in improving male reproductive health.

Male infertility affects more than 15 per cent of couples worldwide, with male factors contributing to nearly half of all infertility cases.

Led by researchers Dr Prabhakar Tiwari, Dr Rajeev Kumar, Dr Rima Dada and Anjali Yadav, the study evaluated the impact of a 12-week structured yoga intervention on seminal oxidative stress, sperm quality and DNA fragmentation in men with primary infertility.

Unexplained male factor infertility is on the rise and is related to unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, pollution and exposure to micronanoplastics and delayed age of marriage and having children, said Dr Dada, professor in the Department of Anatomy.

"This results in damage to mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which can damage sperm DNA, shorten telomeres, alter methylation pattern and thus the epigenetic landscape and sperm with such damaged DNA is associated with infertility, repeated pregnancy losses, autosomal dominant disorders, childhood cancers and complex neuropsychiatric disorders," she said.

A total of 78 infertile men aged 25-40 years were enrolled in the study, of whom 42 completed the 12-week programme comprising yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation techniques for one hour a day and five days a week.

Researchers found significant improvements in several key fertility parameters after the intervention.

The study reported a sharp decline in oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage.

"Our study revealed that regular yoga practice significantly improves sperm function and reduces oxidative stress and DNA damage in infertile men," the study said.

The researchers noted that a declining trend was observed in sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI), a measure of sperm DNA damage, although the reduction did not achieve statistical significance.

"This requires at least 6 months of regular yoga practice to show significant improvement in DNA quality," Dr Dada said.

"These findings support yoga as a beneficial adjunct therapy for the management of unexplained male infertility and can potentially enhance fertility outcomes," the study said.

According to the researchers, yoga may exert its beneficial effects through multiple mechanisms, including reducing stress hormones, improving antioxidant defence systems, enhancing blood circulation to reproductive organs, lowering inflammation, improving mitochondrial integrity, and increasing total antioxidant capacity and telomerase levels.

Dr Dada said the findings highlight the importance of integrating evidence-based lifestyle interventions into fertility care.

"Oxidative stress is one of the major contributors to poor sperm quality and DNA damage. Our study shows that a structured yoga intervention can significantly reduce oxidative stress markers while improving sperm count and motility.

"As a safe, accessible and cost-effective practice, yoga can serve as an important complementary strategy in the management of male infertility," Dada said.

READ MORE: Tasir Ali is a proud father of five sons in uniform

The researchers concluded that yoga represents a promising non-pharmacological approach to improving reproductive health and may help reduce the burden of infertility among couples seeking conception.