If you’re trying to start a family, you’ve probably gone down the rabbit hole — poring over research about hormone levels, ovulation timing, sperm counts. Maybe you’ve even started looking into fertility supplements, hoping something might help tip the odds in your favor.

At that point, you may see a different conversation pop up, not just about fertility, but also about aging. Initially, the two concepts might seem unrelated. But the more you research the topic, the more the connection becomes hard to ignore. Egg quality, sperm health, and hormonal balance can all shift as the body ages at a cellular level.

As longevity researchers explore ways to slow the aging process, one compound that has their attention is alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG). When paired with other longevity-focused supplements, like the all-in-one NOVOS Core formulation, it may help support the underlying biological processes that influence everything from cellular energy to reproductive health.

Fertility Isn’t Just About Hormones

Most people think of fertility in terms of hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone, FSH, and LH. While essential for reproductive health, they’re only part of the story.

Take egg quality: Each egg relies on mitochondria to supply the energy needed for proper development. As those mitochondria become less efficient with age, the chances of errors increase.

Meanwhile, sperm production continues with age, but both quantity and quality tend to decline. Motility slows, DNA damage increases, and structural changes in the testes can make the environment for sperm development less optimal.

What’s driving these changes?

• Oxidative stress that damages cells
• Mitochondria that don’t produce energy as efficiently
• Low-level inflammation that interferes with normal function

These are among the hallmarks of aging — the underlying biological processes that gradually impair cellular function over time. As these processes progress, they can affect reproductive health, influencing egg quality, sperm integrity, and overall fertility.

What Exactly Is AKG?

AKG is a molecule your body makes to help convert nutrients into energy inside your cells. Researchers have also linked AKG to processes that affect long-term health, including:

• Cellular maintenance and metabolic regulation
• Inflammation signaling and balance
• Gene expression

Calcium AKG (Ca-AKG) is the form most often used in supplements due to its greater stability and suitability for absorption compared to free-form AKG — as studied in clinical research evaluating Ca-AKG and markers of biological aging.

Importantly, the same processes that Ca-AKG supports — energy metabolism, cellular repair, and resilience to stress — are fundamental to reproductive health, influencing both egg quality and sperm function.

What the Research Says About AKG and Female Fertility

One study looked at what happens when aging mice receive AKG over time. Researchers saw:

• An increase in ovarian reserve
• Healthier, more viable eggs
• Lower levels of oxidative stress
• Better mitochondrial function inside the eggs

They also noted fewer structural abnormalities in the eggs themselves, something that becomes more common with age.

These findings are noteworthy in the context of fertility supplements, because egg quality often determines outcomes more than egg quantity. And egg quality depends heavily on how well those cells can produce and manage energy.

Related: Best Calcium Supplements for Women: What Research Suggests 

What About Male Fertility?

In another study, scientists examined how AKG interacts with a receptor involved in sperm maturation. Sperm mature in a very specific environment that requires the right balance of fluids and pH to support proper development.

When researchers disrupted this signaling pathway, they saw:

• Reduced fertility
• Higher rates of abnormal sperm
• Problems with sperm maturation

AKG appeared to support this system, helping maintain conditions important for normal sperm development.

A More Complete View of Fertility

When addressing fertility, it’s natural to look for a single solution — a specific supplement or targeted intervention that can improve outcomes. 

In reality, reproductive health depends on a network of biological systems working together. Cellular energy production, repair mechanisms, and inflammatory balance all have an effect on reproductive aging and how eggs and sperm develop and function over time.

Because these processes are interconnected, focusing on just one pathway — even one as promising as AKG — may have limited results. A more complete approach considers the biological environment that supports reproductive health.

Targeting the Root Causes of Aging

If aging plays a central role in fertility, then supporting fertility means supporting the body holistically. That’s the idea behind formulations like NOVOS Core.

It combines ingredients that work across several aging pathways, not just one:

• AKG for cellular energy and metabolism
• Glycine and vitamin C for tissue and collagen support
• Compounds that help manage oxidative stress and inflammation

This approach focuses on the underlying biology that supports reproductive health in both men and women, rather than treating them as entirely separate concerns.

Supporting Fertility From the Inside Out

AKG is a metabolic molecule increasingly studied in longevity research, with emerging relevance for fertility. Current studies examining AKG’s link with human fertility are inconclusive. However, research shows that reproductive health is closely tied to how well cells produce energy, manage stress, and maintain function over time.

For anyone thinking about fertility, that shift in perspective can be useful. Instead of asking, “What can I take for fertility?” a better question might be, “How do I support my body so it functions better overall?”

You can begin by adding NOVOS Core, NOVOS Boost, and other NOVOS longevity products to your daily routine. With science-backed ingredients that work synergistically, they’re designed to support the biological processes that influence long-term health — including those involved with reproductive function.

Learn more: The Best Anti-Aging Supplements, Science-Based 

FAQ About AKG and Fertility Supplements

Can supplements improve fertility naturally?

They can support underlying processes like nutrient status, oxidative balance, and hormone function. Results vary depending on the cause.

What supplements help egg quality?

Nutrients that support mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress — like antioxidants and AKG — may help by supporting energy production and protecting cells from damage over time.

What improves male fertility naturally?

Diet, sleep, exercise, and targeted nutrients all contribute to sperm quality, motility, and hormone balance.

Does alpha-ketoglutarate improve fertility?

Animal studies suggest potential benefits for egg quality and sperm development, but human research is still limited.

At what age does fertility decline most?

Female fertility declines gradually after the late 20s and more sharply after 35. One large study following women trying to conceive found that 87% of those aged 30 to 31 became pregnant within 12 months. That figure dropped to 76% for ages 36 to 37 and to 54% for ages 40 to 41.

Male fertility declines more gradually but still reflects aging over time. A 2020 study found that men over 40 were about 30% less likely to achieve conception compared to men under 30.

At the same time, factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted longevity supplementation may help support the underlying biological processes that influence reproductive health with age.