He Has a Say Too: Men’s Reproductive Health
Speakers · Danijel Bursać, Dejan Ljiljak and Mirna Sentić
Moderator · Nikolina Polić
Public CROLMA webinar · 3 October 2025 · approx. 85 min · Audio: Croatian
What can semen analysis tell us, and how are couples assessed when they are having difficulty conceiving? Danijel Bursać, Dejan Ljiljak and Mirna Sentić discuss assessment, diet and lifestyle.
About the recording
Danijel Bursać presents infertility assessment as a shared process involving both partners. He reviews history-taking, semen analysis and possible causes of male infertility, then discusses further investigations, treatment and assisted reproduction. He also considers lifestyle changes and psychological support.
Dejan Ljiljak explains the work of a clinical embryologist, sperm characteristics and interpretation of semen analysis. He discusses DNA integrity, oxidative stress and laboratory procedures, and shares experience of preparing patients and using supplements. Mirna Sentić connects reproductive and metabolic health through nutritional assessment, meal composition, a Mediterranean dietary pattern, nutrient deficiencies and dietary supplements.
Nikolina Polić moderates the closing discussion. The additional sources explain why a change in semen parameters alone does not establish a higher chance of pregnancy or live birth.
Full webinar
Recording chapters
Gynaecological approach to male infertility · 01:03
Embryology and interpreting semen analysis · 23:53
Questions and answers · 1:04:25
Support for the event
The recording description credits Bioandina with providing gift packs and a discount code to webinar participants.
References and additional reading
WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen, 6th ed
World Health Organization, Human Reproduction Programme · 2021
Shown on a lecture slide
Source note: The sixth edition of the WHO manual standardises laboratory procedures for semen analysis. Results are interpreted in the context of the couple’s assessment.
Does Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improve seminal quality?
Ana María Alcalde, Jordi Rabasa · 2020 · DOI: 10.1111/and.13755
Shown on a lecture slide
Source note: A small pilot trial of maca found a difference in sperm concentration. It did not establish an effect on pregnancy or live birth.
Effect of Atomized Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) Supplementation in the Cryopreservation of Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) Epididymal Spermatozoa
Gloria Levano, Juana Quispe, Diego Vargas et al. · 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/ani13132054
Shown on a lecture slide
Source note: This laboratory study added maca to a medium used to freeze alpaca sperm. The finding concerns cryopreservation in that experiment.
EAU Guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Male Infertility
European Association of Urology
Editorial additional reading
Source note: The guideline covers assessment of both partners and interpretation of semen analysis. Its recommendation against routine antioxidant treatment for idiopathic male infertility is weak.
Antioxidant Treatment and the Chance to Conceive in Men Seeking Fertility Care: The SUMMER Randomized Clinical Trial
Wiep R. de Ligny, Jan Peter de Bruin, Roos M. Smits et al. · 2025 · DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.32405
Editorial additional reading
Source note: In this randomised trial, the tested antioxidant combination did not improve ongoing pregnancy rates compared with placebo.
The Effect of Antioxidants on Male Factor Infertility: The MOXI Randomized Clinical Trial
Anne Z. Steiner, Karl R. Hansen, Kurt T. Barnhart et al. · 2020 · DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.11.008
Editorial additional reading
Source note: The MOXI trial found no statistically significant difference in cumulative live birth at six months. The sample size limits the precision of that result.
Watching the recording
The recording is publicly available on YouTube. The webinar is spoken in Croatian.
Croatian captions are available.