Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the associations between different dietary patterns and semen quality in a general Asian male population.MethodsCross-sectional study. Healthy Taiwanese men aged 18 years or older who participated in a standard medical screening program from 2008-2013 run by a private firm were included in this study. Semen parameters including sperm concentration (SC), total sperm motility (TSM), progressive motility (PRM) and normal sperm morphology (NSM) were recorded. A dietary questionnaire was used to categorize the participants into 5 groups: “Healthy diet”, “Western diet”, “High-carbohydrate diet”, “High sweet snacks & sugar-sweetened drinks” and “High-sodium diet”.ResultsA total of 7282 men completed the questionnaire regarding dietary pattern, and examination of anthropometric indexes was performed and laboratory data were obtained. A high intake of a “Western diet” resulted in statistically linear declines of SC and NSM (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Similarly, a greater intake of “High sweet snacks & sugar-sweetened drinks” was associated with a lower SC (P = 0.001). Increased intake of a “High-carbohydrate diet” was related to higher prevalences of abnormal TSM and PRM (P = 0.012 and P = 0.025). Similarly, a greater intake of a “High-sodium diet” was correlated with an elevated prevalence of abnormal NSM (P = 0.035).ConclusionsThis study showed that a greater intake of a “Western diet” is associated with poorer SC and NSM, a “High sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened drinks” intake is correlated with a lower SC, and high-carbohydrate food is related to elevated prevalences of abnormal TSM and PRM.
Highlights
During the past few decades, there has been much discussion about changes in semen quality, with some studies showing its significant decline [1,2,3]
This study showed that a greater intake of a “Western diet” is associated with poorer sperm concentration (SC) and normal sperm morphology (NSM), a “High sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened drinks” intake is correlated with a lower SC, and high-carbohydrate food is related to elevated prevalences of abnormal total sperm motility (TSM) and progressive motility (PRM)
In this cross-sectional cohort study, the cohort initially consisted of 7941 healthy male individuals aged 18 years or older who participated in a standard medical screening program run by a private firm (MJ Health Management Institution, Taipei, Taiwan) between January 2008 and May 2013
Summary
During the past few decades, there has been much discussion about changes in semen quality, with some studies showing its significant decline [1,2,3]. Despite the heterogeneity in the study populations, overall, the data indicate a decline in sperm concentration in males of most Western countries according to studies conducted during 1934–1996 [6]. Several studies have indicated a decline in sperm concentration in most Western countries, and poor sperm motility and an abnormal sperm morphology. Over the past 50 years, the average Western diet has changed dramatically in the U.S compared with the 1950s, today’s diet typically consists of higher intakes of total calories, meat, cheese, added fats and sugars, which typically reflect a poorer diet quality
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