We have been using Chinese herbs and acupuncture in our practice to significantly improve follicle growth and ovulation for many years, so this study comes as no surprise. Though this particular study was conducted on rats, our clinical experience echoes that the correct herbal formulas and the correct acupuncture protocols can have significant positive effects on the growth of follicles and on ovulation.
 
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2007 Nov;5(6):665-9. Effects of Erxian Decoction and its separate prescriptions on the levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in anterior pituitary cells from female rats.

Researchers found that the alcohol extract of American ginseng induced an approximate 2.5-fold increase in expression of the estrogen-responsive pS2 gene, as well as progesterone receptor gene expression. Therefore, American ginseng can potentially be used to improve progesterone response.
 
Integr Cancer Ther. 2006 Sep;5(3):236-43

Herbal medicine has been used for millenia to improve sexual stamina and vitality. In this study, investigators looked into how one of the herbs, epimedium, changed rat sexual behavior. They found that male rats given epimedium had more than twice as many ejaculations, much less recovery time between ejaculations and their libido went way up.
 
Though it is generally a safe herb in small doses, there are traditional contraindications to using this herb. Consult an herbalist if you are considering using this herb in therapeutic doses or for longer term.
 
J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Aug 19; [Epub ahead of print]. Effect of lipid-based suspension of Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract on sexual behavior in rats. Makarova MN, et al.

The current ahead of print journal of Circulation magazine has this convincing study on the blood thinning effects of Vitamin E. This is of interest not only to patients with cardiovascular disease, but also to cancer patients, who notably tend to have associated hypercoaguability disorders, and to fertility patients who test for factor V leiden or the MTHFR mutation
 
Effects of Random Allocation to Vitamin E Supplementation on the Occurrence of Venous Thromboembolism. Report From the Women’s Health Study
Robert J. Glynn PhD, ScD*, Paul M Ridker MD, Samuel Z. Goldhaber MD, Robert Y.L. Zee PhD, and Julie E. Buring ScD
 
From the Division of Preventive Medicine (R.J.G., P.M.R., R.Y.L.Z., J.E.B.), Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (P.M.R.), and Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.M.R., S.Z.G.), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass; and the Departments of Biostatistics (R.J.G.), and Epidemiology (J.E.B.), Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass.
 

Background—Supplementation with vitamin E may antagonize vitamin K in healthy adults, but it is unclear whether intake of vitamin E decreases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
 
Methods and Results—The Women’s Health Study randomized 39 876 women 45 years of age to receive 600 IU of natural source vitamin E or placebo on alternate days. Before randomization, 26 779 participants gave blood samples, which were used to determine factor V Leiden, G20210A prothrombin, and 677C>T MTHFR polymorphisms. Documented VTE (including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) and unprovoked VTE (no recent surgery, trauma, or cancer diagnosis) were prospectively evaluated, secondary end points of the trial. During a median follow-up period of 10.2 years, VTE occurred in 482 women: 213 in the vitamin E group and 269 in the placebo group, a significant 21% hazard reduction (relative hazard, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66 to 0.94; P=0.010). For unprovoked VTE, the hazard reduction was 27% (relative hazard, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.94; P=0.016). In subgroup analyses, the 3% of participants who reported VTE before randomization had a 44% hazard reduction (relative hazard, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31 to 1.00; P=0.048), whereas women without prior VTE had an 18% hazard reduction (relative hazard 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68 to 0.99; P=0.040). Women with either factor V Leiden or the prothrombin mutation had a 49% hazard reduction associated with vitamin E treatment (relative hazard, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.87; P=0.014).

Conclusions—These data suggest that supplementation with vitamin E may reduce the risk of VTE in women, and those with a prior history or genetic predisposition may particularly benefit.

We’ve been preaching this for years in our talks and directly with our patients. The body is a delicate balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants. There is an appropriate time for oxidation and an appropriate time to prevent oxidation. Knowing which to do is something that you should consult with a clinician about. They can run lab tests or perform a physical exam that can help determine which you need.
 
This recent study is more evidence of the damage that can be caused by the vitamins that many companies tout will improve male factor infertility. In this study, the antioxidants essentially created sperm that was not very functional but pretty…looks aren’t everything in the world of sperm either.
 
You could say that the antioxidants gave the sperm premature ejaculation, a process known as sperm decondensation. Because the genetic matierial is released too early, it is ineffective at inducing pregnancy.
 

Reprod Biomed Online. 2007 Apr;14(4):418-21. Links

Here is a link to a number of studies relating to acupuncture and infertility:
 
Fertility Research