Nutrient patterns and asthenozoospermia: a case-control study

Abstract

The association of dietary nutrient patterns and sperm motility is not yet well elucidated, and previous studies have just focused on the isolated nutrients. This case-control study examined the association of nutrient patterns with asthenozoospermia among Iranian men. In total, 107 incident asthenozoospermic men and 235 age-matched controls were interviewed through the infertility clinics in Tehran, Iran, from January 2012 to November 2013. Semen quality data were analysed according to the fifth edition of WHO guideline. Nutrient patterns were identified using principal component analysis based on semiquantitative 168-item food frequency questionnaires. All nutrient intakes were energy-adjusted by the residual method. In principal component analysis, three dietary patterns emerged. The first pattern, which was high in vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, folate, total fibre, selenium and polyunsaturated fatty acids, was significantly associated with lower risk of asthenozoospermia. After adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the highest tertile of the first pattern scores had 51% lower risk of asthenozoospermia compared with those in the lowest (p-trend: .004). Our findings suggest that adherence to the pattern comprising mainly of antioxidant nutrients may be inversely associated with asthenozoospermia.

The effects of oral antioxidants on the semen of men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

“…A prospective study conducted by Akmal et al [ 22 ] observed that vitamin C supplementation (2 g/day) in infertile men with idiopathic oligozoospermia induced a significant increase in sperm motility and sperm count, as well as an increase in the percentage of normal spermatozoa, but there was no placebo group in that study. Eslamian et al [ 23 ] performed a case-control study to assess associations between dietary patterns and asthenozoospermia in 107 patients and 235 age-matched controls. It was observed that a diet rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, zinc, folate, total fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and selenium was significantly associated with a lower risk of asthenozoospermia.…”

Mediterranean diet and the risk of poor semen quality: cross‐sectional analysis of men referring to an Italian Fertility Clinic

“…In a group of men from a Fertility clinic, Eslamian et al . () identified 2 dietary patterns: a “prudent pattern” (including several types of vegetables, fish and seafood, fruits, vegetable oils) similar to the Mediterranean diet and a “Western pattern” (organ meats, red and processed meats, sugar, soft drinks, refined grains, potatoes, French fries, high‐fat dairy products, hydrogenated fats). After adjustment for potential confounders, participants in the highest tertile of the prudent pattern scores had 54% lower risk of asthenozoospermia compared to those in the lowest one.…”

Dietary Patterns and Poor Semen Quality Risk in Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Gaskins et al [ 21 ] found that Prudent DP was related to higher positive sperm motility; Jurewicz et al [ 36 , 37 ] declared that Prudent DP decrease the DNA fragmentation index, disomy of chromosomes XX and 21, and was positively related to sperm concentration and testosterone level; Oostingh et al [ 22 ] and Karayiannis et al [ 38 ] found that strong adherence to Healthy DP and Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with higher sperm concentration, total sperm count and progressive motility. Eslamian et al [ 10 , 39 ] pointed out that high intake of fruits and vegetables, dark green vegetables, skim milk, poultry and seafood and diet rich in vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin C, selenium, zinc and PUFAs was significantly associated with lower risk of asthenozoospermia, most likely due to its antioxidative properties It is estimated that in 30–80% cases, impairment of male fertility can be caused by damage to sperm as a result of oxidative stress [ 9 ]. Fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants (beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin C and polyphenols), fiber, folate, vitamin B6, which play an important role in ensuring the quality of semen.…”