Royal jelly counteracts summer bucks infertility
Royal jelly is an increasingly popular supplement taken to counter a number of common health complaints from seasonal allergies to infertility. Most claims of royal jelly benefits, including anti-tumor, anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, and immunomodulatory properties, are based in research, and a 2010 study buttresses claims that royal jelly can effectively treat a form of male infertility seen in heat stressed rabbits, referred to as summer buck infertility.
Royal Jelly Fertility Experiment
The testes of mammals are located external to the body due to the unique heat sensitivity of sperm cells and the organs that produce them. Rabbit production is often limited during the summer due to increased heat and the effects this has on male fertility. Rabbits are more sensitive to heat stress, because they have fewer sweat glands than humans.
Heat stress results in a number of measurable outcomes. Plasma testosterone levels drop, corresponding with reduced ejaculate, lowered motility and concentration of sperm, higher cholesterol and lipid concentrations, and decreased total protein levels. Key minerals are also affected, with lower magnesium, phosphorous, calcium and potassium levels versus rabbits in cooler conditions.
Royal jelly fertility treatment was provided to three experimental groups with reference to a control. The experimental groups were given 200, 400 and 800 mg per kilogram of body weight once a week. The fertility status of rabbits increased remarkably across all experimental groups in comparison with control. Most markers of fertility were maximally effected with the 400 mg dosage, and the 800 mg group saw declining benefits on most tests.
Implications for Human Health
This study showed royal jelly benefits for both treating heat-induced infertility and improving physiologic status. Oral administration is an effective means of royal jelly fertility benefits. Research shows that it can increase sex hormone concentrations and improve liver and kidney function. Heart health can benefit from reduced cholesterol and triglycerides combined with increased levels of key minerals.
