Food intake and its relationship with semen quality: a case-control study

Mendiola, Jaime; Torres-Cantero, Alberto M.; Moreno-Grau, José M.; Ten, Jorge; Roca, Manuela; Moreno‐Grau, Stella; Bernabéu, Rafael

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.01.020

Cited by 144 publications

(163 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…We previously reported that processed meat intake is associated with lower total sperm count among physically active healthy young men (17). A study in Spain found that intake of processed red meats was ;31% higher among oligoasthenoteratospermic men than among controls but did not find any difference in fish intake between cases and controls (13). Another study in the Netherlands found that fish and other seafood was associated with higher sperm motility (14).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

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Processed Meat Intake Is Unfavorably and Fish Intake Favorably Associated with Semen Quality Indicators among Men Attending a Fertility Clinic

Afeiche

Gaskins

Williams

et al. 2014

The Journal of Nutrition

101

105

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Emerging literature suggests that menÕs diets may affect spermatogenesis as reflected in semen quality indicators, but literature on the relation between meat intake and semen quality is limited. Our objective was to prospectively examine the relation between meat intake and indicators of semen quality. Men in subfertile couples presenting for evaluation at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center were invited to participate in an ongoing study of environmental factors and fertility. A total of 155 men completed a validated food-frequency questionnaire and subsequently provided 338 semen samples over an 18-mo period from 2007-2012. We used linear mixed regression models to examine the relation between meat intake and semen quality indicators (total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility, morphology, and semen volume) while adjusting for potential confounders and accounting for within-person variability across repeat semen samples. Among the 155 men (median age: 36.1 y; 83% white, non-Hispanic), processed meat intake was inversely related to sperm morphology. Men in the highest quartile of processed meat intake had, on average, 1.7 percentage units (95% CI: 23.3, 20.04) fewer morphologically normal sperm than men in the lowest quartile of intake (P-trend = 0.02). Fish intake was related to higher sperm count and percentage of morphologically normal sperm. The adjusted mean total sperm count increased from 102 million (95% CI: 80, 131) in the lowest quartile to 168 million (95% CI: 136, 207) sperm in the highest quartile of fish intake (P-trend = 0.005). Similarly, the adjusted mean percentages of morphologically normal sperm for men in increasing quartiles of fish intake were 5.9 (95% CI: 5.0, 6.8), 5.3 (95% CI: 4.4, 6.3), 6.3 (95% CI: 5.2, 7.4), and 7.5 (95% CI: 6.5, 8.5) (P-trend = 0.01). Consuming fish may have a positive impact on sperm counts and morphology, particularly when consumed instead of processed red meats.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The existing literature on the relation between meat intake and semen quality indicators is scarce and limited to crosssectional and case-control studies (13)(14)(15)(16)(17). We have previously reported that processed meat intake is associated with lower total sperm count among physically active healthy young men (17).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Processed Meat Intake Is Unfavorably and Fish Intake Favorably Associated with Semen Quality Indicators among Men Attending a Fertility Clinic

Afeiche

Gaskins

Williams

et al. 2014

The Journal of Nutrition

101

105

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a case -control study of 30 men with poor semen quality and 31 normospermic controls, controls had significantly higher intake of lettuce, tomatoes and fruits (Mendiola et al, 2009). In an observational study of 250 men undergoing ICSI, sperm motility was positively influenced by consumption of fruits and cereals (Braga et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary patterns and semen quality in young men

Gaskins

Colaci

Mendiola

et al. 2011

Fertility and Sterility

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what is known already: Over the past decades there has been evidence of a concomitant decline in sperm and diet quality. Yet whether diet composition influences semen quality remains largely unexplored. participants, setting, methods: Men aged 18-22 years were included in this analysis. Diet was assessed via food frequency questionnaire and dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between diet patterns and conventional semen quality parameters (sperm concentration, progressive motility and morphology) adjusting for abstinence time, multivitamin use, race, smoking status, BMI, recruitment period, moderate-to-intense exercise and total calorie intake.results: Two dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. The 'Western' pattern was characterized by high intake of red and processed meat, refined grains, pizza, snacks, high-energy drinks and sweets. The 'Prudent' pattern was characterized by high intake of fish, chicken, fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. The Prudent pattern was positively associated with percent progressively motile sperm in multivariate models (P-trend ¼ 0.04). Men in the highest quartile of the Prudent diet had 11.3% (95% CI 1.3, 21.3) higher % progressively motile sperm compared with men in the lowest quartile. The Prudent pattern was unrelated to sperm concentration and morphology. The Western pattern was not associated with any semen parameter.limitations: This was a cross-sectional and observational study, which limited our ability to determine causality of diet on semen quality parameters.wider implications of the findings: Our findings support the suggestion that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish and whole grains may be an inexpensive and safe way to improve at least one measure of semen quality.

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“…In addition, many recent studies report that inappropriate dietary habits (such as meal skipping or false dieting), low intake of antioxidants, and nutrient deficiencies have been observed in male factor infertility. 25,28,[47][48][49][50] The aim of this study was to systematically review published studies that investigated the relationship between nutrition, diet, or food compounds and male factor infertility. As far as can be determined, this is the first systematic review of studies that examined the relation between nutrition or dietary compounds and male infertility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional modifications in male infertility: a systematic review covering 2 decades

et al. 2015

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Context: Studies suggest that appropriate nutritional modifications can improve the natural conception rate of infertile couples. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the human trials that investigated the relation between nutrition and male infertility. Data Sources: A comprehensive systematic review of published human studies was carried out by searching scientific databases. Article selection was carried out in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses. The American Dietetic Association Research Design and Implementation Checklist was also used for quality assessment. Data Extraction: A total of 502 articles were identified, of which 23 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data Synthesis: Results indicated that a healthy diet improves at least one measure of semen quality, while diets high in lipophilic foods, soy isoflavones, and sweets lower semen quality. Conclusion: The role of daily nutrient exposure and dietary quality needs to be highlighted in male infertility. Mechanistic studies addressing the responsible underlying mechanisms of action of dietary modifications are highly warranted.

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Food intake and its relationship with semen quality: a case-control study

Cited by 144 publications

References 61 publications

Processed Meat Intake Is Unfavorably and Fish Intake Favorably Associated with Semen Quality Indicators among Men Attending a Fertility Clinic

Processed Meat Intake Is Unfavorably and Fish Intake Favorably Associated with Semen Quality Indicators among Men Attending a Fertility Clinic

Dietary patterns and semen quality in young men

Nutritional modifications in male infertility: a systematic review covering 2 decades

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