A low intake of antioxidant nutrients is associated with poor semen quality in patients attending fertility clinics.
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.
Mendiola
Jaime
J
Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Instituto Bernabeu, Alicante, Spain. mendiola.j@gmail.com
Torres-Cantero
Alberto M
AM
Vioque
Jesús
J
Moreno-Grau
José M
JM
Ten
Jorge
J
Roca
Manuela
M
Moreno-Grau
Stella
S
Bernabeu
Rafael
R
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
D000975:Antioxidants