Khat plant gives fertility boost

Men trying to boost their fertility may soon receive help from an unusual source - a plant grown for centuries in East Africa and the Middle East.

The leaves of the khat plant give a feeling of euphoria when chewed. But scientists at King's College London have discovered that they also contain chemicals that help sperm to mature and fertilise an egg.

"We envisage the development of products that could be taken by individuals, either couples who might be having trouble conceiving or even those who have just decided to try to conceive," Professor Lynn Fraser told a fertility conference in Berlin.

She said the chemicals could also be used as additives to sperm in fertility treatments.