Choline Dehydrogenase and Sperm Function: Effects of Betaine

Completed · Phase 1

Conditions studied: Men Carrying 2 Minor Alleles for Choline Dehydrogenase rs12676, Male Infertility

In brief

The ability of sperm to swim is important for normal fertility. Men with a genetic variation in the gene coding for Choline Dehydrogenase (CHDH) have decreased energy production by sperm, and their sperm do not swim normally. The metabolic product of this gene is a nutrient called betaine (found normally in the diet as a part of many foods such as spinach, beets and grain products). This study tests whether treatment with betaine is safe and whether it can normalize energy production in sperm of these men and restore normal swimming ability.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02122211

Run by

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

People needed

6

Starts

2014-04-01

Expected to finish

2016-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2016-09-08

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 60. Sex: male. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 18 - 60 year old men of multiple races and ethnicities
• Estimated dietary intake of betaine of <150 mg/day
• Carrying two alleles of the rs 12676 single nucleotide polymorphism

You may not qualify if…

• Cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency
• Currently taking betaine supplements
• Currently receiving chemotherapy, radiation or any gonadotoxic drug
• Female gender

Where it is running

• UNC Nutrition Research Institute — Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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