Association of diet and lifestyle factors with semen quality in male partners of Chinese couples preparing for pregnancy

Abstract

Background Semen quality significantly influences conception, and its preservation is crucial for couples seeking pregnancy. We investigated dietary and lifestyle risk factors impacting semen quality. Methods A total of 466 males from the Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center’s pre-pregnancy consultation clinic were recruited between January 2021 and March 2023 for inclusion. Semen analysis was performed, and diet and lifestyle data were gathered via questionnaire. Logistic regression was utilized to examine the link between diet, lifestyle variables, and semen quality. Results Smoking worsened progressive sperm motility (38.0% vs. 36.0%, t = 2.262; P = 0.049). Alcohol consumption impaired progressive motility (40.5 ± 17.8% vs. 34.7 ± 16.1%, t = 3.396; P < 0.001) and total motility (56.0% vs. 64.0%; P = 0.001). Using plastic beverage bottles for oil or seasonings lowered sperm concentrations (40.4% vs. 59.0% vs. 65.5%; P = 0.032). A sweet diet correlated with higher total sperm motility (55.0% vs. 60.0%, 62.0% vs. 63.2%; P = 0.017). Higher milk product intake improved sperm concentration (41.6106vs. 63.7106 vs. 66.1*106; P = 0.021) and motility (54.5% vs. 56.0% vs. 63.0%; P = 0.033). More frequent egg consumption increased semen volume (3.1 mL vs. 3.8 mL vs. 4.0 mL; P = 0.038). Roughage intake enhanced sperm concentration (160.8106 vs. 224.6106; P = 0.027), and adequate sleep improved progressive sperm motility rate (35.4% ± 18.2% vs. 40.2 ± 16.3%, F = 3.747; P = 0.024) and total motility (52.7% vs. 61.5%; P = 0.013). The regression model showed that using plastic containers for condiments was a protective factor for semen volume (OR: 0.12; CI 0.03–0.55; P = 0.006), sperm concentration (OR: 0.001, CI 0.00–0.30; P = 0.012), and count (OR: 0.12, CI 0.03–0.48; P = 0.003). Milk and egg consumption were also protective for semen volume (OR: 0.18, CI 0.06–0.51; P = 0.001 and OR: 0.11, CI 0.03–0.55; P = 0.006, respectively), while sufficient sleep benefitted total sperm motility (OR: 0.47, CI 0.24–0.95; P = 0.034). Conclusions Smoking and drinking, type of condiment container, diet preference, sleep duration, and milk, roughage, and egg consumption may reduce semen quality.

The Influence of Lifestyle on Male Fertility in the Context of Insulin Resistance—Identification of Factors That Influence Semen Quality

“…Research results indicate that glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) play a synergistic role in maintaining glucose uptake in Sertoli cells to ensure lactate production, and subsequently ATP utilized by sperm for movement [67]. Scientists attempted to link lifestyle and its individual components to various semen parameters, demonstrating that a "sweet diet" positively correlated with sperm motility (p = 0.017), which may be associated with obtaining energy from simple sugars [68]. Moreover, studies on fertility problems in diabetes, i.e., the condition associated with the presence of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, are already well known in the scientific world [22,23,34]; however, the number of studies directly linking sperm quality with insulin resistance is limited.…”

The Influence of Lifestyle on Male Fertility in the Context of Insulin Resistance – Identification of Factors That Influence Semen Quality with the Construction of a Multivariate Model for the Prediction of Correct or Incorrect Sperm Motility Test Results

“…Scientists from Guangzhou attempted to link lifestyle and its individual components to various semen parameters. They demonstrated that a "sweet diet" positively correlated with sperm motility (p=0.017), which may be associated with obtaining energy from simple sugars [40]. Studies on fertility problems in diabetes, where hyperglycemia and insulin resistance often occur, are already well-known in the scientific world [32][33][34][35], however, the number of studies directly linking sperm quality with insulin resistance is limited.…”