Yellow Maca

Summary of Findings:

• 2.8 grams per day of yellow maca was studied for 16 weeks. 

• Yellow maca increased sperm count by 15%, sperm concentration by 40%, and a significant decrease of free testosterone by 27% was observed.

• Stimulation of sperm quality may happen by a non-steroidogenic mechanism since free testosterone decreased in the maca treated group, possibly due to secondary metabolites including macamides, macaenes, and other lipid fractions. 

Summary of Findings:

• Yellow maca was orally fed and studied for its biological effects on stallions for antioxidant activity and semen quantity and quality.

• 88 compounds were identified in yellow maca including alkaloids, macamides, macaenes, and glucosinolates. 

• A progressive increase in antioxidant capacity was observed through day 60, positively impacting redox status.

• Total sperm count, sperm concentration, and ejaculate volume increased with the administration of yellow maca. 

Summary of Findings:

• The effects of aqueous extract of yellow maca from different hypocotyl sizes, grown under different pH conditions and using two different routes of administration were studied.

• Sperm count was higher in mice receiving yellow maca from the larger hypocotyl sizes.

• The higher pH content of yellow maca reduced sperm count. 

• Oral administration of aqueous extract of yellow maca was the only effect route. 

• "In conclusion, the larger size of hypocotyls presented the best biological effect, and the low pH in the extract and the transformation after gastrointestinal passage are both important for its biological action."

Summary of Findings:

• Yellow and black maca were studied.

• Yellow maca had better antioxidant capacity compared to black maca. 

• Total phenolic content was better in the methanolic fraction than in the aqueous fraction of both yellow and black maca, though it was higher in black maca compared to yellow. 

• Butanoic fraction of yellow maca had higher antioxidant capacity compared to aqueous fractions of yellow maca. 

• Methanolic extract of yellow maca resulted in higher daily sperm production compared to methanolic extract of black maca. 

Summary of Findings:

Yellow maca was taken daily for 12 weeks at a dose of 1.75 grams by healthy men.

Yellow maca consumption resulted in multiple improvements of semen parameters

• Increase of sperm count by 20%

• Increase of sperm concentration by 14%

• Improved sperm motility by 14%

• Improved semen volume by 9%

• Enhanced morphology of sperm by 21%

• No changes in hormone levels were observed.

Summary of Findings:

• Red, yellow, and black maca demonstrated UVA/UVB absorptive properties and antioxidant activity.

• Highest activity was from red maca, followed by black and then yellow.

• Each of the three colors prevented the development of sunburns, epidermal hyperplasia, and leukocytic infiltration. 

• Yellow maca showed higher catalase levels in the skin, as did black maca.

Summary of Findings:

• Two yellow maca extracts (boiled and non-boiled) were studied

• The boiled extract had a better effect compared to the non-boiled extract on skin protection from UV rays, though both provided protection.

• Topical treatment of maca reduced skin damage by UVB in a dose dependent manner. 

Summary of Findings:

• Black and yellow maca improved epididymal sperm count

• Black, yellow, and red maca improved sperm count in vas deferens.

• "Maca seems to act as a modulator of sperm count at the reproductive tract level."

Summary of Findings:

• Yellow, black, and red maca were studied

• Black maca provided the most beneficial effects on latent learning, particularly on trained mice though all phenotypes were effective for trained and non-trained mice (p<0.05)

• All varieties demonstrated anti-depressant effects.

Summary of Findings:

• Aqueous extract of lyophilized yellow maca was given to assess various fertility parameters of female mice. 

• Implantation sites and reproductive indexes were similar in the yellow maca and control groups. 

• Yellow maca group had significant increases litter size likely due to a reduction in embryo resorption, confirming "...the traditional uses of Maca to enhance female fertility."