Published date: Jun 08 2022

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 20, Issue No. 5

Pages: 389-398

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v20i5.11053

Mehran NouriStudents’ Research Committee, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Sanaz MehrabaniDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Hossein FiroozbakhtDepartment of Nutrition, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Elmira VataniyanDepartment of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.

Homayoun AbbasiIsfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran.

Mahsa Shiranimahsa.shirani1373@yahoo.comDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Infertility has been a significant problem for couples in recent decades, and the issue can often lie with the male rather than the female.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fats and minerals intake on semen parameters in infertile men.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 260 infertile men referred to Isfahan Infertility Clinic, Isfahan, Iran in the summer of 2018. Semen parameters regarding sperm concentration, total motility, normal morphology, and sperm volume were considered. To assess dietary intakes, a validated food frequency questionnaire was used.

Results: In the adjusted model, the prevalence of abnormal concentration was 5.23 times higher in the top quartile of calcium intake, compared with the bottom quartile (p = 0.03). Also, the prevalence of abnormal morphology was 68% lower in the third quartile of calcium intake (p = 0.03). Additionally, the prevalence of abnormal concentration was 84% lower in the top quartile of folate intake in comparison to the bottom quartile (p = 0.01) and the prevalence of abnormal morphology was 70% lower in the top quartile of folate intake (p = 0.03). Additionally, the prevalence of abnormal concentration was 72% lower in the top quartile of selenium intake in comparison to the bottom quartile (p = 0.04). Furthermore, in the crude model, the prevalence of abnormal volume was 64% lower in the second quartile of linoleic acid intake rather than the first quartile (p = 0.01).

Conclusion: In conclusion, diets containing higher amounts of folate and selenium, and lower amounts of cholesterol, saturated fatty acid and calcium were associated with more favorable semen quality parameters.

Key words: Infertility, Semen quality, Minerals, Fats, Cross-sectional study. 

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