Daily News
RESEARCH: Hominax Sperm Health Study
From: Mahmoud Al-Dabbas
Valid from: Wednesday 17 October 2018 to Tuesday 13 November 2018
If you are concerned about your sperm health, you might be eligible to volunteer in a study at City Fertility to assess a potential new nutritional supplement, Hominax, for improved sperm health.
Conducted by researchers from NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University, The study aims to test the efficacy and safety of Hominax capsules in improving sperm health.
At present, Hominax is considered an experimental supplement as it is unknown whether it has an effect on sperm health. However, it is thought that Hominax may decrease damage to sperm and improve sperm production and quality.
The study, sponsored by Max Biocare, will measure the number, shape and ability of sperm to move well, to determine the effect of the treatment being studied.
An antioxidant supplement, Hominax is listed as a medicine with the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and approved for use by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
“When sperm are produced in low numbers, are abnormally shaped, or are not able to move well, this may reduce the ability of sperm to penetrate and fertilise the egg,” said Chief Investigator Professor Smith, NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University.
“Antioxidants have been reported to have a protective role in sperm health by improving DNA integrity and sperm mobility.
“This study is testing a new vitamin and herb supplement to see if it can improve the health of sperm by decreasing damage to sperm and improving sperm production.”
Who can join the study?
To be considered in the study, it is preferred that you are a non-smoker and you must be:
• Male aged 20-60 years
• Diagnosed with male infertility after a semen analysis (as identified by a GP or completed by a pathology firm)
What is involved?
If accepted in the study, you will receive the nutritional supplement, Hominax, for 24 weeks. The estimated time commitment is four hours over six months. During that time you will be asked to provide four semen samples for analysis and have two blood tests. There are six study visits in total: four at a clinic and two by telephone. The clinics are at Brisbane City, Sunnybank and on the Gold Coast.
What will I have to pay for?
There will be no charge to you for taking part in this study. The study treatment, procedures and visits will be provided at no charge to you.
Will I be paid?
You will not receive payment for being involved in the study. You may claim nominal expenses for your visits to the study clinic: up to $125 per visit for travel expenses are provided.
What will happen before the study begins?
You can proceed to initial self-screening by answering some questions through the online survey (found on NICM Health Research Institute’s website, link provided below). If you meet the initial eligibility criteria, you will be directed to a research officer for a short phone conversation to confirm the study is right for you.
For further information or to register your interest and confirm eligibility, please visit the NICM Health Research Institute’s website at https://www.nicm.edu.au/spermhealthstudy