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Adherence to diet quality indices in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormones in young men.

ABSTRACT: STUDY QUESTION:Is adherence to an a priori defined diet quality indices [Alternate Healthy Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), relative Mediterranean diet score (rMED) or dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)] associated with semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in young men? SUMMARY ANSWER:Greater adherence to the DASH diet is related to higher sperm counts. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY:Studies assessing the relationship between dietary intake and male reproductive function have mainly been focused on specific nutrients, food groups or data-driven dietary patterns, but the evidence on a priori defined dietary indices is still scarce. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION:Cross-sectional study of 209 male university students recruited from October 2010 to November 2011 in Murcia Region (Southern Spain). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS:Healthy young men aged 18-23 years were included in this study. Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and three a priori-defined dietary indices (AHEI-2010, rMED and DASH) were calculated. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between the three dietary indices and semen quality parameters and reproductive hormone levels accounting for potential confounders and covariates. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE:We found statistically significant positive associations between the DASH index and sperm concentration (P, trend?=?0.04), total sperm count (P, trend?=?0.04) and total motile sperm count (P, trend?=?0.02). No associations were observed for other semen parameters or male reproductive hormones. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION:Even though we adjusted for several known and suspected confounders we cannot exclude the possibility of residual or unmeasured confounding or chance findings. Subjects were blinded to the study outcomes thus reducing the potential influence on their report of diet. Our sample size may be too small to rule out associations with other semen parameters or reproductive hormones. Causal inference is limited, as usual with all observational studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS:The results suggest that greater adherence to the DASH may help improve sperm counts. This study was carried out on young men from the general population. However, results may differ among other populations (e.g. infertile men). Therefore, further research is needed to confirm these findings and extend these results to other populations. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S):This work was supported by Fundación Séneca, grants No 08808/PI/08 and No 19443/PI/14; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (AES), grants No PI10/00985 and No PI13/01237; and grant P30DK046200 from the National Institutes of Health. Authors have no competing interests to declare.

SUBMITTER: Cutillas-Tolin A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6810545 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Adherence to diet quality indices in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormones in young men.

Cutillas-Tolín Ana A Adoamnei Evdochia E Navarrete-Muñoz Eva M EM Vioque Jesús J Moñino-García Miriam M Jørgensen Niels N Chavarro Jorge E JE Mendiola Jaime J Torres-Cantero Alberto M AM

Human reproduction (Oxford, England) 20191001 10

<h4>Study question</h4>Is adherence to an a priori defined diet quality indices [Alternate Healthy Index 2010 (AHEI-2010), relative Mediterranean diet score (rMED) or dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)] associated with semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in young men?<h4>Summary answer</h4>Greater adherence to the DASH diet is related to higher sperm counts.<h4>What is known already</h4>Studies assessing the relationship between dietary intake and male reproductive function ...[more]

PMID: 31560742

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Project description:BackgroundFew human studies have examined bisphenol A (BPA) exposure in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormones in men, and results are divergent.ObjectivesWe examined associations between urinary BPA concentration and reproductive hormones, as well as semen quality, in young men from the general population.MethodsOur study population consisted of 308 young men from the general population. Urinary BPA concentration was measured by isotope dilution TurboFlow-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We used multiple linear regression analysis to estimate associations between BPA concentration and reproductive hormones and semen quality, adjusting for confounding factors.ResultsWe found that 98% of the men had detectable urinary levels of BPA. Median (5th-95th percentiles) BPA concentration was 3.25 ng/mL (0.59-14.89 ng/mL). Men with BPA concentrations above the lowest quartile had higher concentrations of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and free testosterone compared with the lowest quartile (p trend ? 0.02). Men in the highest quartile of BPA excretion had on average 18% higher total testosterone (95% CI: 8, 28%), 22% higher LH (95% CI: 6, 39%), and 13% higher estradiol (95% CI: 4, 24%) compared with lowest quartile. Men in the highest quartile of BPA also had significantly lower percentage progressive motile spermatozoa compared with men in the lowest quartile (-6.7 percentage points, 95% CI: -11.76, -1.63). BPA was not associated with other semen parameters. Adjusting for dietary patterns did not influence the results.ConclusionsThe pattern of associations between BPA and reproductive hormones could indicate an antiandrogenic or antiestrogenic effect, or both, of BPA on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone feedback system, possibly through a competitive inhibition at the receptor level. However, additional research is needed to confirm our findings and to further test the suggested potential mechanisms.

Project description:Study questionIs consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) associated with semen quality?Summary answerHigher consumption of SSB was associated with lower sperm motility among healthy, young men.What is known alreadyThe existing literature on the potential role of SSBs on male reproductive function is scarce and primarily focused on the relation between caffeinated beverages and semen quality. However, a rodent model suggests that SSBs may hamper male fertility.Study design, size, durationThe Rochester Young Men's Study; a cross-sectional study of 189 healthy young men carried out at the University of Rochester during 2009-2010.Participants/materials, setting, methodsMen aged 18-22 years provided semen and blood samples, underwent a physical examination and completed a previously validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Linear regression was used to analyze the association of SSBs with sperm parameters and reproductive hormone levels while adjusting for potential confounders.Main results and the role of chanceSSB intake was inversely related to progressive sperm motility. Men in the highest quartile of SSB intake (?1.3 serving/day) had 9.8 (95% CI: 1.9,17.8) percentage units lower progressive sperm motility than men in the lowest quartile of intake (<0.2 serving/day) (P, trend = 0.03). This association was stronger among lean men (P, trend = 0.005) but absent among overweight or obese men (P, trend = 0.98). SSB intake was unrelated to other semen quality parameters or reproductive hormones levels.Limitations, reasons for cautionAs in all cross-sectional studies, causal inference is limited. An additional problem is that only single semen sample was obtained from each subject.Wider implications of the findingsTo our knowledge, this is the first report on the relation between SSB intake and low semen quality beyond the contribution of caffeinated beverages. While our findings are in agreement with recent experimental data in rodents, more studies are required to draw conclusions on the relation of SSB with semen quality or male infertility.Study funding/competing interest(s)Supported by the European Union Seventh Framework Program (Environment), 'Developmental Effects of Environment on Reproductive Health' (DEER) grant 212844. Grant P30 DK046200 and Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award T32 DK007703-16 and T32HD060454 from the National Institutes of Health. None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to declare.

Project description:Study questionIs increased consumption of dairy foods associated with lower semen quality?Summary answerWe found that intake of full-fat dairy was inversely related to sperm motility and morphology. These associations were driven primarily by intake of cheese and were independent of overall dietary patterns.What is known alreadyIt has been suggested that environmental estrogens could be responsible for the putative secular decline in sperm counts. Dairy foods contain large amounts of estrogens. While some studies have suggested dairy as a possible contributing factor for decreased semen quality, this finding has not been consistent across studies.Study design, size, durationThe Rochester Young Men's Study (n = 189) was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2009 and 2010 at the University of Rochester.Participants/materials, setting, methodsMen aged 18-22 years were included in this analysis. Diet was assessed via food frequency questionnaire. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between dairy intake and conventional semen quality parameters (total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility, morphology and ejaculate volume) adjusting for age, abstinence time, race, smoking status, body mass index, recruitment period, moderate-to-intense exercise, TV watching and total calorie intake.Main results and the role of chanceTotal dairy food intake was inversely related to sperm morphology (P-trend = 0.004). This association was mostly driven by intake of full-fat dairy foods. The adjusted difference (95% confidence interval) in normal sperm morphology percent was -3.2% (-4.5 to -1.8) between men in the upper half and those in the lower half of full-fat dairy intake (P < 0.0001), while the equivalent contrast for low-fat dairy intake was less pronounced [-1.3% (-2.7 to -0.07; P= 0.06)]. Full-fat dairy intake was also associated with significantly lower percent progressively motile sperm (P= 0.05).Limitations, reasons for cautionAs it was a cross-sectional study, causal inference is limited.Wider implications of the findingsFurther research is needed to prove a causal link between a high consumption of full-fat dairy foods and detrimental effects on semen quality. If verified our findings would mean that intake of full-fat dairy foods should be considered in attempts to explain secular trends in semen quality and that men trying to have children should restrict their intake.Study funding/competing interest(s)European Union Seventh Framework Program (Environment), 'Developmental Effects of Environment on Reproductive Health' (DEER) grant 212844. Grant P30 DK046200 and Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award T32 DK007703-16 from the National Institutes of Health. None of the authors has any conflicts of interest to declare.

Project description:Study questionIs anogenital distance (AGD) associated with semen quality and reproductive hormones in men from the general population?Summary answerShort AGD measured from the anus to the base of scrotum (AGDAS) was associated with reduced sperm counts and morphology but not with sperm motility or reproductive hormones.What is known alreadyAGD is longer in males than in females. In rodents, AGD is a well-established and sensitive marker of disruption during the masculinization programming window in utero and it has been suggested to be so in humans as well. Therefore, the average AGD would be expected to be shorter in men with poor semen quality, which some studies have confirmed while others have not.Study design, size, durationThis cross-sectional population-based study was of 1106 men included between 2012 and 2016.Participants/materials, setting, methodsMen from the general Danish population (median age 19 years), unselected with regard to fertility status and semen quality, delivered a semen sample, had a blood sample drawn, which was analyzed for concentrations of reproductive hormones, and answered a comprehensive questionnaire. They also had a physical examination performed including determination of AGD measured as the distance between anus and scrotum (AGDAS) and penis (AGDAP). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI were estimated for a man having abnormal semen parameters according to the World Health Organization's reference values or a low/high concentration of reproductive hormones (defined as the lowest or highest 10%) depending on AGD. AGD was categorized in four strata: ≤10th percentile, 10th-30th percentile, 30th-50th percentile and >50th percentile.Main results and the role of chanceMen with the 10% shortest AGDAS had a more than doubled risk (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.40-3.42) of being in the subfertile range for either sperm concentration (<15 million/mL) or sperm morphology (<4%) compared to men with AGDAS above the median (reference). Men in the 10th-30th percentile also had an increased OR of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.06-2.08) but not men in the 30th-50th percentile (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.81-1.62). AGDAP was only weakly related to semen quality. AGD was not associated with testicular volume or any of the reproductive hormones.Limitations, reasons for cautionLimitations include the potential non-differential misclassification of reproductive outcomes based on a single semen and blood sample and some between-examiner differences in AGD measurements which introduces noise and may result in an underestimation of observed associations.Wider implications of the findingsOur study of men from the general population confirmed associations between AGD and semen quality, supporting the hypothesis that AGD in humans could be a marker of fetal testicular development. This suggests that the low semen quality in Danish men may partly be explained by prenatal factors.Study funding/competing interest(s)The study has received financial support from the ReproUnion (L.P.); the Research fund of Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital (N.J.); Grants R01ES016863-04 and R01ES016863-02S4; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grant (P30ES023515) (S.S.); the European Union (Contract numbers BMH4-CT96-0314, QLK4-CT-1999-01422, QLK4-CT-2002-00603, FP7/2007-2013, DEER Grant agreement no. 212844); the Danish Ministry of Health; the Danish Environmental Protection Agency; A.P. Møller and wife Chastine McKinney Møllers foundation; and Svend Andersens Foundation. None of the funders had any role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of data, writing of the paper or publication decisions. The authors have nothing to declare.Trial registration numberN/A.

Project description:BackgroundThis is the first large-scale Russian study describing semen quality and reproductive hormone levels among young men.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to compare semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in young men of four cities and three ethnic groups living in the Siberian region of Russia and to find out ethnic or environmental reasons for regional differences.Materials and methodsThe study population consisted of 1291 young men from Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Ulan-Ude, and Yakutsk, including 1013 men of three most numerous ethnic groups: Slavs, Buryats, and Yakuts. Each participant provided one sperm and blood sample, information about lifestyle and ethnicity. Anthropometric parameters, semen quality and reproductive hormone levels, were evaluated.ResultsSignificant regional and ethnic differences were detected for semen and reproductive hormone parameters. Median sperm concentrations in Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Ulan-Ude, and Yakutsk were 54.6, 39.9, 34.7, 33.1 × 106 /ml; total sperm counts-202.5, 138.7, 97.9, 93.4 × 106 ; percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa-7.8%, 6.5%, 6.3%, 5.0%, respectively. Median sperm concentrations in Slavs, Buryats, and Yakuts were 43.7, 37.0, 30.6 × 106 /ml; total sperm counts-150.0, 102.3 and 74.8 × 106 ; percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa-6.8%, 6.8%, 4.8%, respectively.DiscussionThe young men in Novosibirsk and Kemerovo, populated by Slavs, had a higher semen quality compared to Ulan-Ude and Yakutsk, populated by Buryats and Yakuts, apparently due to the higher testicular function in Slavic compared to Asian ethnicity. Impaired spermatogenesis in young men in Kemerovo compared to Novosibirsk, located in the same climatic zone and having a socio-cultural and ethnic identity, may be due to the influence of a polluted environment.ConclusionThe findings suggest that ethnic composition and environment may be responsible for regional differences in semen and reproductive hormone parameters.

Project description:ObjectiveStudy associations between three measures of alcohol consumption (recent, typical/habitual, binging), semen quality and serum reproductive hormones.DesignCross-sectional population based study.Setting and participants1221 young Danish men, aged 18-28?years were recruited when they attended a compulsory medical examination to determine their fitness for military service from 2008 to 2012. Total alcohol consumption: (1) in the week preceding (habitual/typical) the visit (recent alcohol intake), (2) in a typical week and (3) frequency of 'binge drinking' (consuming more than 5 units/day)) in the past 30?days was estimated.Main outcome measuresSemen quality (volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percentages of motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa) and serum concentration of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, oestradiol, free testosterone and inhibin B).ResultsSperm concentration, total sperm count and percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology were negatively associated with increasing habitual alcohol intake. This association was observed in men reporting at least 5 units in a typical week but was most pronounced for men with a typical intake of more than 25 units/week. Men with a typical weekly intake above 40 units had a 33% (95% CI 11% to 59%) reduction in sperm concentration compared to men with an intake of 1-5 units/week. A significant increase in serum free testosterone with increasing alcohol consumption the week preceding the visit was found. Binging was not independently associated with semen quality.ConclusionsOur study suggests that even modest habitual alcohol consumption of more than 5 units per week had adverse effects on semen quality although most pronounced associations were seen in men who consumed more than 25 units per week. Alcohol consumption was also linked to changes in testosterone and SHBG levels. Young men should be advised to avoid habitual alcohol intake.

Project description:BackgroundThe current evidence on the association between obesity-associated markers and semen quality, serum reproductive hormones and lipids remains inconsistent. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that, in infertile Chinese men, body mass index (BMI) negatively correlates with sperm concentration, serum total testosterone (TT), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The relationship between other obesity-associated markers and semen quality parameters, serum reproductive hormones, lipids and leptin were also investigated.Methods181 Chinese infertile men were recruited from September 2018 to September 2019. Their obesity-associated markers, semen parameters, and serum reproductive hormones, lipids and leptin were detected. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationship between obesity-associated markers and semen quality, serum reproductive hormones, lipids and leptin.Result(s)Statistically negative correlation was found between other obesity-associated markers (e.g. waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio) and semen parameters (e.g. sperm concentration, ratio of progressive motility and ratio of non-progressive motility), while no significant correlation was found between BMI and semen quality, serum reproductive hormones, lipids and leptin. Ratio of morphologically normal sperm was negatively correlated with serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), leptin and seminal superoxide dismutase. Ratio of progressive sperm, sperm concentration and ratio of morphologically normal sperm exhibited significantly lower values in overweight group than normal group. Estradiol (E2) and E2/TT were significantly higher in obese group than normal group, while TT level was significantly lower in obese group than normal group. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that TC was significantly associated with BMI. Serum leptin concentration was positively correlated with seminal leptin concentration in overweight and obese groups.Conclusion(s)No significant correlation was found between BMI and sperm concentration, serum TT and HDL-C, while other obesity-associated markers were found to negatively correlate with sperm concentration, ratio of progressive motility and ratio of non-progressive motility. Statistically significant correlations between serum reproductive hormones, lipids and leptin also existed in Chinese infertile men.

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Adherence to diet quality indices in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormones in young men.

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Adherence to diet quality indices in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormones in young men.

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