A current examine within the journal Vitamins evaluates whether or not adherence to the Mediterranean food regimen (MD) impacts sperm parameters.

Examine: Observational Cross-Sectional Examine on Mediterranean Weight loss program and Sperm Parameters. Picture Credit score: losinstantes / Shutterstock.com

Background

In Western international locations, 15-25% of {couples} expertise infertility issues. Earlier analysis has proven that about 50% of infertility circumstances could be attributed to male components.

Along with congenital issues, different components that impression male fertility embody diabetes, hypertension, insulin resistance, chubby/weight problems, and atherosclerosis. Cigarette smoking, extreme alcohol consumption, and lack of bodily exercise additionally negatively have an effect on male fertility.

Latest research have additionally offered new insights into how an unhealthy food regimen influences male fertility. For instance, preserved and processed meat, alcohol, sugary drinks, and meals with excessive ranges of saturated fatty acids negatively impression sperm high quality.

Male reproductive well being is considerably benefitted from a low consumption of trans fat and saturated fat and a excessive consumption of omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, polyphenols, nutritional vitamins, and antioxidants. Fish, entire grains, poultry, fruit and veggies, seafood, and low-fat dairy merchandise enhance sperm high quality.

Usually, a Western food regimen entails a excessive consumption of ultra-processed meals that comprise a big quantity of sugars and fat. The common consumption of those meals creates dietary imbalance and introduces extreme energy.

A high-calorie food regimen causes weight problems, which has been linked to insulin resistance, notably hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. Weight problems induces adjustments in glucose metabolism within the sperm. Impaired glycolysis enhances oxidative stress, which impacts sperm high quality and male reproductive operate.

Many research have highlighted the constructive results of MD towards non-communicable illnesses, together with cardiovascular illnesses (CVDs). MD entails the excessive consumption of seasonal greens and fruits, fish, nuts, cereals, legumes, a average quantity of wine, and a low consumption of meat and dairy merchandise.

MD is wealthy in antioxidants and anti inflammatory molecules, monounsaturated fatty acids, fibers, and low in saturated fats. Each anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecules operate as a gene modulator and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger. Earlier research have proven that pure dietary parts enhance sperm parameters, together with sperm motility, viability, and focus.

In regards to the examine

The present examine hypothesized that larger MD adherence would positively profit male reproductive well being and sperm parameters. The current observational cross-sectional examine evaluated the affiliation between MD adherence and sperm parameters.

People who have been referred to the Andrology and Reproductive Medication Unit, College Hospital of Padova, between September 2022 and July 2023 for semen evaluation have been thought-about for this examine. All individuals have been between 18 and 45 years of age and didn’t have a historical past of varicocele, testicular most cancers, endocrinopathies, genetic causes of infertility, and semen infections. Semen samples have been collected from individuals after two to seven days of sexual abstinence and have been analyzed.

The physique mass index (BMI) of all individuals chosen on this examine was estimated. Adherence to MD was assessed utilizing a validated 14-point a priori Mediterranean Weight loss program Adherence Screener (MEDAS) within the presence of a dietitian. 

Examine findings

A complete of 300 non-obese males have been enrolled on this examine, and their imply age was 34.6 years. About 32%, 36.7%, and 31% of the cohort reported low, medium, and excessive adherence to MD, respectively. Notably, people who smoke and non-smokers confirmed totally different MD adherence.

The extent of MD adherence considerably correlated with sperm parameters. Being overweight or chubby negatively influenced the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and affected spermatogenesis and vitality metabolism. Adherence to MD prevented metabolically unfavorable phenotypes in males.

Because of the low ranges of saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids, in addition to sufficient ranges of polyunsaturated fatty acids fraction (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids, MD is positively correlated with male fertility standing. All main predictors of fertility potential, together with sperm motility, morphology, viability, and depend, have been considerably and positively correlated with the MEDAS rating. This discovering strongly highlights that vitamin routine could possibly be a potential biomarker of sperm abnormalities, notably in those that stay idiopathic.

Members who belonged to the bottom tertile of MD adherence rating exhibited poor sperm motility, depend, and focus as in comparison with these with a excessive MD adherence rating. In keeping with the findings of a earlier examine, the present examine revealed that MD is positively related to sperm parameters, notably sperm depend and focus.

Conclusions

A key energy of this examine is its pattern measurement. The exclusion of recognized andrological situations and the homogeneous analysis of the MD routine by a single dietitian are different strengths of this examine.

The present examine additionally has some limitations, together with its cross-sectional and observational design, which made it difficult to establish the causal issue linking MD adherence to semen parameters.

Regardless of these limitations, the examine findings point out that larger adherence to MD promotes higher semen high quality in males, whereas decreased MD adherence alters semen parameters, notably sperm depend. Due to this fact, dietary intervention could possibly be an efficient and non-invasive technique for males with poor sperm high quality.