The influence of individual lifestyle factors is widely described in studies on semen quality. However, their synergistic effect is often neglected. The aim of the study was to examine the association between semen quality and dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet, physical activity (PA), and the two separately and in combination. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 207 men aged 20-55. Dietary data were collected by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and analysed according to the DASH scoring index. Physical activity was evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Semen parameters were assessed via the computer-aided semen analysis (CASA). Adherence to the DASH diet was associated with higher sperm count (∆ T3-T1 = 82.1 mln/ej) and concentration (∆ T3-T1 = 24.6 mln/mL). Higher PA was related to higher sperm count (∆ T3-T1 = 69.4 mln/ej), total (∆ T3-T1 = 11.9%), and progressive motility (∆ T3-T1 = 8.5%) and morphology (∆ T3-T1 = 2.8%) in the crude model and remained significant after adjustment. The combination of the DASH diet and PA, was significantly positively associated with sperm count (∆ T3-T1 = 98.1 mln/ej), sperm concentration (∆ T3-T1 = 17.5 mln/mL), total (∆ T3-T1 = 11.8%), and progressive motility (∆ T3-T1 = 10.0%) and morphology (∆ T3-T1 = 3.3%) in both models. Adherence to the DASH diet was related to higher sperm count and concentration, whereas after its combination with physical activity it was also positively correlated with sperm motility and morphology.Most of the epidemiological studies have assessed the effects of single foods, nutrients and other lifestyle factors on semen parameters [6-9], whereas their synergistic effect is neglected. Some lifestyle behaviours co-occur together and in combination are more beneficial to health than their cumulative individual effect. Moreover, interventions aimed at multiple-behaviour change may have a potentially greater impact on health than interventions based on a single risk factor [10].The easiest modifiable lifestyle factors, with the important impact on semen quality, are diet and physical activity. The dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet is one of the most well-known dietary strategies, and its effect is often linked with prevention and treatment of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and coronary artery disease [11]. Moreover, its effects were studied in the context of other diseases [12], including semen quality [13]. The DASH diet can be adapted to any variance in regional diet, which can make lifestyle-related health factors grow more sustainable [14]. The DASH diet reflects a healthy eating pattern holistically, promoting food such as food sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and limiting food high in saturated fats, sugar, and sodium. Previous research has indicated that this dietary pattern may be important to maintain proper semen quality [6,13].Physical activity is one of the health promoting lifestyle factors. However, earlier studies describing a link between physica...

The etiology of diminished sperm quality in about 30% of male infertility cases generally remains unexplained. Some studies have suggested that specific nutritional factors can affect semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate an association between dietary patterns (DPs) and the risk of abnormal semen quality parameters in men. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 114 men aged 20–55 years from Poland. Semen parameters were assessed via computer-aided semen. Diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DPs were derived using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Two DPs were derived: Pro-healthy and Western. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of abnormal progressive motility was significantly higher in the middle (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.03–8.09) and upper (OR: 7.78, 95% CI: 1.52–15.06) tertiles of the Western DP. A trend for increased risk of the abnormal total count, progressive motility, and morphology (P-trend < 0.050) was found in Western DP. To conclude, the Western DP may increase the risk of abnormal semen parameters, whereas no association was found in the case of Pro-healthy DP. These findings stand in contrast to an increasing number of research findings indicating a positive relation between intake of healthy foods or diet and semen quality parameters. The results highlight the need to study whether modifications in diet and lifestyle factors improve semen quality.

Epidemiological research has identifi ed a relationship between infant birth weight, maternal physical activity and nutrition with likelihood of developing future diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, infectious, allergic, and autoimmune diseases, as well as death resulting from ischemic heart disease, relating

Ageing involves significant changes in skeletal muscle mass and its functioning. This study aimed to identify the major nutrient patterns (NPs) present in a sample of adult Polish women and evaluate their associations with the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). A cross-sectional study initially recruited 527 women, and a final analysis was carried out on 275 women aged 32–60 years. Nutrient intake was assessed using fourteen repetitions of 24-hour dietary recall. NPs were derived using principal component analysis. Associations between adherence to NPs and the SMI were evaluated using linear regression models. Three NPs were identified: ‘Animal Protein-Vitamins’, ‘Fibre-Plant Protein-Minerals’ and ‘Fats’. In the adjusted model, the upper tertile compared to the bottom tertile of the ‘Animal Protein-Vitamins’ NP was related to a higher SMI (β = 0.123 95% CI: 0.019; 0.227; P for 1-SD increase of NP score = 0.009). No associations between the SMI and the ‘Fibre-Plant Protein-Minerals’ and ‘Fats’ NPs were observed. Our results indicate that high adherence to animal product-rich patterns might be related to higher muscle mass in adult women. Research on the influence of dietary and nutrient patterns on the quality of muscle tissue may contribute to the setting of guidelines for nutritional protection of skeletal muscle with ageing and, consequently, dietary recommendations that would improve the quality of women’s lives at the later stage of life.

Introduction: Splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) are the most common (60%) of visceral artery aneurysms with the possibility of rupture. SAA rupture is associated with 20% mortality, which increases disproportionately to 75% in pregnant women, with fetal the mortality rate of 95%. Aim: We present a discussion based on the case report with a review of the literature on ruptured SAA in pregnancy as well as possible treatment options, complications and prognosis. Case study: Patient, 40-year-old pregnant woman, gravida 2, para 1, 33 week of pregnancy, with ruptured SAA, underwent cesarean section, splenectomy, and hypovolemic shock treatment. The outcomes of the mother and neonates were good. Postoperative recovery was complicated by right-sided pneumothorax. Results and discussion: 87% of patients with SAA are females. In our analysis of cases, with ruptured SAA in pregnancy, the parity may be the factor that influences the maternal and fetal outcomes. In third trimester of pregnancy (as in our case study) the most often mistaken indication for laparotomy was a suspected placental abruption. Conclusions: Ruptured SAA during pregnancy should be considered as one of the non-obstetric causes of intraabdominal bleeding. Careful observation of the patient from the onset of symptoms is a key approach that increases maternal and fetal survival.