The Association Between Dairy Product Consumption and Asthenozoospermia Risk: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Evidence of an association between dairy product and main related dairy nutrient intake, and the asthenozoospermia risk have been limited and controversial.Methods: A hospital-based case-control study including 549 men with asthenozoospermia and 581 normozoospermic controls was carried out in the infertility clinics of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between June, 2020 and December, 2020. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. According to the World Health Organization guidelines, semen parameters were collected through masturbation and were measured with WLJY9000 instrument and flow cytometry. The daily intake of dairy products and related nutrients was categorized into three groups according to control distribution, and the lowest tertile was used as the reference category. An unconditional multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for asthenozoospermia risk.Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, we found no statistically significant associations between the intake of total dairy products and asthenozoospermia risk (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.19, 95%CI = 0.85–1.67). Additionally, we generated null findings regarding the main related nutrients from dairy, including protein (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.19, 95%CI = 0.85–1.68), fat (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.28, 95%CI = 0.91–1.80), calcium (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.20, 95%CI = 0.85–1.68), saturated fatty acids (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.92–1.83), and phosphorous (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.18, 95%CI = 0.84–1.67), and the asthenozoospermia risk. Of note, after stratification by body mass index (BMI), and the saturated fatty acids consumption from dairy was significantly associated with a higher asthenozoospermia risk (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.01–3.09) among participants with a BMI below 25 kg/m2.Conclusion: This study provided limited evidence of an association between the intake of total dairy products and the main related dairy nutrients including protein, fat, calcium, saturated fatty acids, and phosphorus, and the asthenozoospermia risk. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings in the future.

Diet Quality Scores and Asthenoteratozoospermia Risk: Finding From a Hospital-Based Case–Control Study in China

“…The AHEI-2010 and DASH scores were characterized by high intakes of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes and low intakes of sugar-sweetened, red/processed meat, and sodium. These high intake food groups were found to be positively associated with sperm count ( 3 , 19 ), concentration ( 19 ), sperm motility ( 20 , 21 ), and morphology ( 3 , 19 ). These food groups serve as major sources of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, which are be considered antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.…”

“…Moreover, these two dietary scores recommend reduction in sugar-sweetened beverage, red/processed meat, and fat consumption. The relatively high content of sugars, saturated/trans fatty acids, and sodium may adversely affect sperm count ( 19 ), concentration ( 29 , 30 ), sperm motility ( 3 , 20 ), and morphology ( 3 , 31 ).…”

“…As one of the principal types, asthenoteratozoospermia is defined as low sperm vitality or even malformation ( 2 ). In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors, lifestyle habits, and dietary factors may be relevant to sperm quality ( 3 ). Epidemiological studies have reported that sweetened beverages, red meat, and organ meat consumption are negative and that fish, egg, nut, and low-fat dairy consumption are positively correlated with sperm quality ( 4 – 7 ).…”

Intake of ultra-processed foods and asthenozoospermia odds: A hospital-based case-control study

“…This study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist ( Supplemental Table 1 ). The details of the study design and participants have been described in previously published studies ( 3 , 11 ). Briefly, a hospital-based case-control study was performed at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, in Liaoning, China.…”

“…As one of the most important environmental factors, the diet factor has also been proposed to play crucial roles in the etiology of asthenozoospermiais ( 10 , 11 ). Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are formulations of ingredients, mostly of exclusive industrial use, that result from a sequence of industrial processes ( 12 ), and they have been indicated to have many adverse effects on human health ( 13 , 14 ).…”