Can NMN help with fertility? Short answer: early animal studies are promising for egg quality and reproductive outcomes, but there are no human fertility trials yet. 

NMN is emerging as a promising anti-aging compound that seems to help rejuvenate many different systems in your body. Therefore, researchers are now trying to understand its potential in improving fertility as we age. 

If you are looking to conceive later in life, you may want to improve your reproductive capacity. And what better way to do it than with a compound that holistically lifts up your organ systems.

Let’s learn more about this magic molecule and unlock its secrets in fertility.

What Is NMN (And NAD+) — In Simple Terms?

NAD+ is a molecule that your cells need for energy and DNA repair - it’s vital for most cell types. 

Think of NAD+ as your cells’ “rechargeable battery.” It powers energy production, DNA repair, and healthy cell division. As we age, that battery drains. NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is like a premium battery fluid your body can use to refill NAD+.

Similarly, in your egg cells the NAD+ levels also decline with age. And that may present as chromosome defects, stress, or more. And all of that together can impact your fertility. 

Therefore, recharging NAD+ with NMN is being studied as a way to support egg health as we age.

Can NMN Help With Fertility?

Yes, studies have shown that NMN can improve oocyte quality. However, these studies were performed in animal models or cell lines. Therefore, we still need clinical trials to establish solid effects of NMN in humans. 

In two separate studies in aged female mice, researchers found the same thing: NMN boosted oocyte (egg) quality and improved fertility. Here’s what NMN did:

• Restored NAD+ levels in oocytes and ovaries.
  

• Improves spindle structure and chromosome alignment during meiosis (the precise division eggs must complete before fertilization).
  

• Enhances mitochondrial efficiency, increases membrane potential, and lowers reactive oxygen species (ROS).

How Does NMN Improve Fertility?

Mechanistically, the studies show that NMN increases activated SIRT2 - an enzyme that counters oxidative stress. Additionally, it also improved the mitochondrial function of the cells. 

Think of NAD+ like the “electricity” that keeps the egg’s quality-control systems online. When the “voltage” falls with age, division errors and oxidative damage are more likely. Restoring the “voltage” with NMN improved these readouts in animals. 

Is There Human Evidence Yet?

Currently, there’s no clinical evidence which suggests that NMN improves fertility in humans. However, studies in mice are really promising. 

The two key fertility research papers on NMN right now are based on mouse models. That said, separate human studies show NMN can raise NAD+-related activity and affect metabolism/fitness. This may suggest biological plausibility—but not proof—for fertility. 

What About Safety — Especially In Pregnancy?

There’s no human data to establish NMN’s safety profile during pregnancy. However, it is generally well-tolerated. 

In the mouse fertility study, maternal NMN exposure (at a higher dose) did not show adverse effects in offspring on physiological or behavioral measures, though this is animal data. Therefore, we can’t really extrapolate it to humans before any clinical studies. 

But we do not have clinical safety data for NMN use specifically to improve fertility or during pregnancy. If you’re trying to conceive, discuss any NAD+ precursor with your OB/GYN or REI specialist first.

How Much NMN For Fertility?

There is no established dose for fertility, since there are no clinical studies on human fertility. 

In the Bertoldo mouse study, researchers used NMN in drinking water for 4 weeks. They tested 0.5 vs 2 g/L, and paradoxically the lower level led to better live-birth outcomes—suggesting a “sweet spot” rather than “more is better.”

Because mouse dosing doesn’t translate directly to humans, therefore you should talk to your clinician about dosing. 

Does This Apply To IVF?

In theory, yes. However, we will need an IVF study to establish a concrete answer. 

In mice, NMN improved oocyte competence, embryo development, and live-birth metrics, which are IVF-relevant endpoints. Whether NMN helps people undergoing IVF is unknown pending human trials.

When Should Someone Consider Discussing NMN With A Clinician?

• You’re 35+ and exploring every evidence-informed angle to support egg quality.
  

• You’re planning or undergoing IVF/IUI and want to understand the biology, risks, and unknowns.
  

• You have metabolic concerns (e.g., insulin resistance) and your clinician thinks a broader NAD+ strategy may fit your care plan.
  

Practical Next Steps

1. Start with medical guidance. A reproductive endocrinologist can put NMN in context with ovarian reserve testing, lifestyle, and timing.
   

2. Build the basics. Sleep, movement, nutrition, and stress care are the floor—not the ceiling.
   

3. Pick quality if supplementing. Purity, third-party testing, and consistent dosing matter. If you choose to try NMN after medical advice, please consider one of the highest purity NMN supplements to avoid any unwanted side-effects.

Final Thoughts: Can NMN Help With Fertility

Putting it all together, can nmn help with fertility? In mice, yes—by recharging cellular “batteries” (NAD+), NMN improved egg quality, embryo development, and even live-birth rates in aging animals. 

In people, we’re still waiting on trials. If you and your clinician decide an NAD+ strategy fits your plan, pair it with strong lifestyle basics and a clean, well-tested supplement.

Ready to take the next step? Shop Ultra Pure NMN™.

References

• Deng, H., Ding, D., Ma, Y., Zhang, H., Wang, N., Zhang, C., & Yang, G. (2024). Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: Research Process in Cardiovascular Diseases. International journal of molecular sciences, 25(17), 9526. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179526

• Miao, Y., Cui, Z., Gao, Q., Rui, R., & Xiong, B. (2020). Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Supplementation Reverses the Declining Quality of Maternally Aged Oocytes. Cell reports, 32(5), 107987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107987 

• Bertoldo, M. J., Listijono, D. R., Ho, W. J., Riepsamen, A. H., Goss, D. M., Richani, D., Jin, X. L., Mahbub, S., Campbell, J. M., Habibalahi, A., Loh, W. N., Youngson, N. A., Maniam, J., Wong, A. S. A., Selesniemi, K., Bustamante, S., Li, C., Zhao, Y., Marinova, M. B., Kim, L. J., … Wu, L. E. (2020). NAD+ Repletion Rescues Female Fertility during Reproductive Aging. Cell reports, 30(6), 1670–1681.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.01.058

• Shade C. (2020). The Science Behind NMN-A Stable, Reliable NAD+Activator and Anti-Aging Molecule. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 19(1), 12–14.