Food intake and its relationship with semen quality: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare dietary habits in normospermic and oligoasthenoteratospermic patients attending a reproductive assisted clinic.


METHODS
An observational, analytical case-control study.


METHODS
Private fertility clinics.


METHODS
Thirty men with poor semen quality (cases) and 31 normospermic control couples attending our fertility clinics.


METHODS
We recorded dietary habits and food consumption using a food frequency questionnaire adapted to meet specific study objectives. Analysis of semen parameters, hormone levels, Y microdeletions, and karyotypes were also carried out.


METHODS
Frequency of intake food items were registered in a scale with nine categories ranging from no consumption to repeated daily consumption.


RESULTS
Controls had a higher intake of skimmed milk, shellfish, tomatoes, and lettuce, and cases consumed more yogurt, meat products, and potatoes. In the logistic regression model cases had lower intake of lettuce and tomatoes, fruits (apricots and peaches), and significantly higher intake of dairy and meat processed products.


CONCLUSIONS
Frequent intake of lipophilic foods like meat products or milk may negatively affect semen quality in humans, whereas some fruits or vegetables may maintain or improve semen quality.
Mendiola
Jaime
J
Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Instituto Bernabeu, Alicante, Spain. mendiola.j@gmail.com
Torres-Cantero
Alberto M
AM
Moreno-Grau
José M
JM
Ten
Jorge
J
Roca
Manuela
M
Moreno-Grau
Stella
S
Bernabeu
Rafael
R
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015930:Diet Records; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013030:Spain; D013091:Spermatogenesis