The dual nature of micronutrients on fertility: too much of a good thing?

Objective: To study the effects of generally considered safe doses of antioxidant micronutrient supplementation on semen parameters, systemic redox balance, sperm DNA structural integrity, and fertility.

Design: Given ethical limitations in human studies, this dose escalation study examined the effects of common water-soluble antioxidant micronutrients (Vitamin C, Zinc, Folate, and Carnitine) on semen parameters, redox status, DNA integrity, and fertility outcomes in healthy male mice over one spermatogenic cycle. The study was partially repeated at the highest carnitine dose for pregnancy outcomes and comparatively assessed in subfertile, oxidatively stressed mice.

Chemoselective Glycosylations. 2. Differences in Size of Anomeric Leaving Groups Can Be Exploited in Chemoselective Glycosylations.

We have developed a novel chemoselective glycosylation strategy. This glycosylation strategy is based on the fact that the glycosyl reactivity of an anomeric thiol group can be controlled by the bulkiness of this group whereby we have produced a new range of differentially reactive coupling substrates. It was also shown that the anomeric configuration of the thioglycosides affects the reactivity of the substrates.