Vitamin E is an important cellular antioxidant in humans and animals, where it plays an essential function in maintaining the antioxidant potential of cell membranes. In this particular role vitamin E is one of the primary lipid soluble antioxidants, working closely with vitamin C to protect cells. Vitamin E is also known to possess significant effects on reproductive function. Evidence from rat studies shows that vitamin E can stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone from incubated cells, which may explain some of its reproductive function. However, the release of luteinizing hormone can be blocked by a nitric oxide antagonist, suggesting that nitric oxide plays a significant role in the release of luteinizing hormone. As antioxidants can protect the nitric oxide synthase enzyme from degradation, and this increases nitric oxide, this may be the mechanism by which vitamin E can cause the release of luteinizing hormone. Optimising vitamin E may therefore be important for maximising reproductive function.
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