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

Abstract

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.

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

“…However, an increased intake of antioxidants (antioxidant support) with a higher intake of trans fatty acids may ameliorate the negative effects on sperm quality. 71,79 More clinical trials with sufficient sample sizes are needed to further elucidate the causeand-effect relationship between red or processed meat consumption and male reproductive potential. A positive association of fish intake with sperm concentration and morphology could be mediated through increased intake of long-chain n-3 fatty acids.…”

“…Seven studies that investigated the effect of food intake and dietary habits reported a positive association between higher intake of processed meat and sweets and the risk of low sperm quality (Table 2). 2,25,28,48,63,64,[70][71][72] The remaining studies, which investigated the role of specific micronutrient(s) on indicators of semen quality, reported conflicting results (Table 3). 17,[54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][65][66][67]69 Dietary habits and food intake.…”

“…In a recent study, Afeiche et al 72 demonstrated that consumption of processed red meat has an inverse effect on sperm concentration and total progressive motile count. Two separate 2014 studies also reported the positive effects of fish 71 and low-fat dairy intake (particularly low-fat milk) 70 on indicators of semen quality.…”

“…Of the 23 included studies, 7 (n ¼ 1084 patients) evaluated the effect of dietary habits and food intake on semen parameters and quality, 2,25,28,48 4 (n ¼ 232 patients) evaluated the effect of carnitine consumption on sperm parameters and quality, 54-57 3 (n ¼ 148 patients) investigated the effect of selenium on sperm parameters, 58-60 2 (n ¼ 481 patients) evaluated the effect of coenzyme Q10 on sperm quality and parameters, 61,62 and each of the remaining articles investigated the effect of saffron, soybased foods, vitamin C, clomiphene citrate, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, beta carotene, and ubiquinol on sperm parameters. [63][64][65][66][67][68][69] The 23 articles included patients from 9 different countries: Iran (6 articles), 2,[61][62][63]67,69 the United States (7 articles), 28,54,58,64,[70][71][72] Italy (3 articles), [55][56][57] Egypt (2 articles), 66,68 the United Kingdom (1 article), 60 Germany (1 article), 65 Poland (1 article), 59 Spain (1 article), 48 and Brazil (1 article). 25 …”

Male fertility: modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors (a review)

“…M. Afeiche и соавт. [24] показали, что диета, обогащенная красным и/или обработанным мясом, приводит к нарушению морфологии сперматозои-дов, а потребление рыбы, напротив, сопровождается ростом общего количества гамет и доли морфологи-чески нормальных клеток, особенно при полном за-мещении мяса морепродуктами.…”