title: A low intake of antioxidant nutrients is associated with poor semen quality in patients attending fertility clinics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare specific nutrient intake between normospermic and oligoasthenoteratospermic patients attending infertility clinics in two Mediterranean provinces of Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private fertility clinics in southeastern Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty men with poor semen quality (case subjects) and 31 normospermic control subjects of couples attending our fertility clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recorded dietary habits and nutrient consumption using a food frequency questionnaire adapted to meet specific study objectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  We calculated nutrient intakes by multiplying the frequency of use for each food by the nutrient composition of the portion size specified on the food frequency questionnaire and by addition across all foods to obtain a total nutrient intake for each individual. Semen quality was assessed by measuring volume, concentration, motility, and morphology. Hormones levels were also analyzed in case and control subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the logistic regression, control subjects had a significantly higher intake of carbohydrates, fiber, folate, vitamin C, and lycopene and lower intakes of proteins and total fat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A low intake of antioxidant nutrients was associated with a poor semen quality in this case-control study of Spanish men attending infertility clinics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Instituto Bernabeu, Alicante, Spain. mendiola.j@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendiola
authors.forename: Alberto M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Torres-Cantero
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vioque
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moreno-Grau
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ten
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roca
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreno-Grau
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bernabeu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants