While there is clear research on the benefits of folic acid for fertility in women, the research is mixed when it comes to folic acid and male fertility.
Some studies have suggested a link between folic acid intake and male fertility. In particular, a double-blind study led by Dr. Wai Yee Wong of the University Medical Center Nijmegen in the Netherlands studied men struggling with male factor infertility. They found that those who had been taking folic acid and zinc supplements for 26 weeks experienced a 74% increase in the amount of normal sperm in their semen. This study suggests that folic acid can actually improve the quality of a man’s sperm while lowering the risk of sperm abnormalities that could interfere with conception.