Vitamin A: choosing the best source for an optimal male reproductive performance

Vitamin A (VA) is key for optimal male and female reproductive performance in mammalian and avian species. Focusing on the male, spermatozoa are particularly rich in polyunsaturated phospholipids that are extremely sensitive to oxidative attacks, and such attacks can in turn lead to lipid and protein peroxidation throughout the cell and DNA damage, which in turn leads to fragile sperm cells that have impaired sperm motility, and thus poor fertility. Given its role in gene expression and its antioxidant properties, VA maintains the quality of sperm, helps support survival of sperm in the oviduct, and greatly improves both the fertilization of ova and development of the embryo post-fertilization.