A new clue to male fertility: Omega-3 fatty acid DHA shown to relax reproductive tract muscle

Medical Xpress / Toho University / Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin ^ | Oct. 15, 2025 | Keisuke Obara et al

[ConservativeMind]

A research team has discovered that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a major omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, directly relaxes smooth muscle in the male reproductive tract by blocking specific calcium channels.

The findings may help explain DHA's broader health benefits and suggest potential new approaches to treating male infertility.

The team studied how DHA affects the vas deferens, a muscle that propels sperm during ejaculation. Normally, the hormone noradrenaline causes this muscle to contract strongly.

DHA was found to significantly reduce these contractions by inhibiting TRPC3/6 channels, which allow calcium ions to enter muscle cells and trigger tightening. Interestingly, DHA did not reduce contractions in the prostate, suggesting that its action is selective to tissues where TRPC3/6 channels are abundant.

By lowering the pressure inside the vas deferens, DHA might ease sperm passage in men with ejaculatory duct obstruction, a known cause of infertility.

DHA has long been associated with brain health, anti-inflammatory effects, and cardiovascular protection. This study provides new evidence that DHA's benefits extend to reproductive health, by acting directly on the molecular machinery that controls smooth muscle contraction.

"Our results suggest TRPC3/6 channels as new molecular targets of DHA," said Dr. Keisuke Obara.

"This not only gives us a clearer understanding of how omega-3 fatty acids work in the body, but also highlights their potential for improving male reproductive health."

The researchers note that further studies are needed to confirm these findings in clinical settings. Still, the concentrations of DHA used in their experiments are comparable to levels achieved through dietary supplementation, suggesting real-world relevance.

[ConservativeMind]

Fatty fish, fish oil, and algal oil are ways to directly get DHA Omega-3 fat.

It helps by stopping a duct obstruction.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Red Badger]

I eat fish all the time..................

[Uncle Miltie]

[Bobbyvotes]

I tried eating lot of fish. It made no difference. What works best is an attractive woman 😂

[cherry]

Moot point...many men don’t want to breed...

[Uncle Miltie]

[DesertRhino]

So if I eat Salmon, the love muscle gets limp? Got it...

[Jeff Chandler]

At my state of life, this subject is irrelevant.

[Jeff Chandler]

At my state of life, this subject is irrelevant.

[logi_cal869]

It’s a good thing my wife doesn’t read FR:

Thanks to you she’d be feeding me fish 7 days a week... /s

[sauropod]

Bkmk