Antioxidant Vitamins and Carotenoids Intake and the Association With Poor Semen Quality: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Men Referring to an Italian Fertility Clinic.

Valentina De Cosmi,Stefania Noli,Irene La Vecchia,Giovanna Esposito,Carlo Agostoni,Elena Ricci,Stefania Ferrari,Fabio Parazzini,Sonia Cipriani,Francesca Bravi

doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.737077

Valentina De Cosmi, Stefania Noli + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.737077

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Abstract

Several studies suggested that male's diet affects fertility. This cross-sectional analysis from a prospective cohort study aims to explore the relation between antioxidants intake and sperm parameters in sub-fertile couples referring to a Fertility center. Socio-demographic characteristics, health history, lifestyle habits, and diet information were obtained. A semen sample was analyzed to proceed with assisted reproduction. Three hundred and twenty-three men were enrolled: 19.1% had semen volume (SV) < 1.5 mL, 31.4% sperm concentration (SC) < 15.0 mil/mL, 26.8% sperm motility < 32%, and 33.0% had total sperm count (TSC) < 39.0 mil. Higher levels of α-carotene were associated to lower risk of low SC [4th vs. 1st quartile, adjusted OR (aOR) 0.43, 95% CI 0.20–0.91) and low TSC (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.22–0.95). Higher intake of β-carotene was inversely associated with risk of low TSC. Lycopene intake was associated with higher risk for these conditions (aOR 2.46, 95%CI 1.01–5.98, SC), and (aOR 3.11, 95%CI 1.29–7.50, TSC). Risk of low semen volume was lower in men with higher level of vitamin D intake (aOR 0.25, 95%CI 0.09–0.66)]. Further research, especially, well-designed randomized clinical trials (RCT), is needed to understand how diet modifications may have a role in modulating male fertility and fecundability.

Highlights

15% of couples are affected by fertility problems, and male causes are responsible for about 30% of them [1, 2]
At this univariate analysis, we found that low semen volume was associated with Vitamin D intake (p = 0.002), low sperm concentration with α-carotene and lycopene (p = 0.05 and 0.007, respectively), low sperm motility with β-cryptoxanthins (p = 0.04), and lutein (p = 0.03), low total sperm count with α- and β-carotene (p = 0.017 and 0.056, respectively), and with lycopene intake (p = 0.013)
Nutrients intake did not eliminate associations between age and semen quality, our results suggest that higher α- and β-carotene and Vitamin D consumption are associated with better sperm parameters and that higher intake of lycopene is associated with a higher frequency of low concentration and total count in our population of sub-fertile men, over a wide age range

Summary

Introduction

15% of couples are affected by fertility problems, and male causes are responsible for about 30% of them [1, 2]. Semen Quality and Micronutrients Intake that environmental conditions and lifestyle habits may affect semen quality [4], the causal link between impaired male fertility and environmental factors is still uncertain. A comprehensive review concluded that healthy diets, including nutrients such as some antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, zinc, cryptoxanthin, and lycopene), vitamins (vitamin D and folate), and omega-3 fatty acids, but with low saturated fatty acids and trans-fatty acids intake, has been positively associated to good sperm quality parameters [10]. To analyze the association between diet and sperm quality is of specific interest to better understand the role of antioxidants on sperm parameters. Available data on this potential association is limited [10,11,12]

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