Meat intake in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormone levels among young men in Spain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the associations of intake of different types of meat with semen parameters and reproductive hormones in healthy young men. This cross-sectional study included 206 men, 18–23 years, from Southern Spain. All men completed a validated food frequency questionnaire, underwent a physical examination, and provided blood and semen samples. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between meat intake with semen quality parameters and reproductive hormones. Total meat intake was unrelated to semen quality or reproductive hormone levels. When subgroups of meat were separately considered, however, shellfish intake was positively related to progressive motility. The adjusted percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa for men in increasing quartiles of shellfish intake were 45.2%, 42.0%, 49.4%, and 53.2% with a significant linear trend across quartiles (p-trend=<0.001). In contrast, men who consumed organ meats had significantly lower progressive sperm motility (51.5% vs. 42.8%; p=0.001) and higher LH levels (4.0 IU/L vs. 4.6 IU/L; p=0.03) than men who did not consume organ meats. Intake of shellfish and organ meats was low in this population, however. Given the scarcity of data on the relation between specific types of meat with semen quality and reproductive hormone levels, additional research is needed to confirm or refute these findings.

The association between animal flesh foods consumption and semen parameters among infertile Iranian men: A cross-sectional study

“…Male infertility is an important disorder which can deleteriously impact both productivity and quality of life. Several studies have reported on the relationship between meat consumption and semen quality parameters as a proxy for male fertility (8,(17)(18)(19); however, there are discrepancies among ndings reported in the literature. Indeed, relatively small sample sizes in previous studies, in addition to the effect ethnic differences, might be the cause of inconclusive ndings, which highlights the necessity of further study to yield a reliable conclusion.…”

“…For example, red meat intake reduces the concentration and number of sperm. Fish consumption, on the other hand, is associated with higher sperm morphology (7)(8)(9).…”

The association between animal flesh foods consumption and semen parameters among infertile Iranian men: A cross-sectional study

“…Several studies have reported on the relationship between meat consumption and semen quality parameters as a proxy for male fertility [8,[20][21][22]; however, there are discrepancies among ndings reported in the literature. Indeed, relatively small sample sizes in previous studies, in addition to the effect of ethnic differences, might be the cause of inconclusive ndings, which highlights the necessity of further study to yield a reliable conclusion.…”

Hormones in Food as a Potential Risk for Human Reproductive and Health Disorders

“…In several studies, a correlation between the intake of the food of animal origin and the incidence of some reproductive and health issues are reported. Thus, the connection between red meat intake and reduced semen motility was reported; however, shellfi sh consumption has the opposite effect [36]. In the study by Afeiche et al [37], semen of 189 donors from the US were analyzed in regard to the quality of consumed meat.…”