Food intake and its relationship with semen quality:
a case-control study
Jaime Mendiola, Ph.D.,a Alberto M. Torres-Cantero, D.P.H.,b Jose M. Moreno-Grau, Ph.D.,c
Jorge Ten, Ph.D.,a Manuela Roca, M.D.,c Stella Moreno-Grau, Ph.D.,c and Rafael Bernabeu, M.D.a,d
a Department of Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Instituto Bernabeu, Alicante; d Reproductive Medicine Chair, University of
Miguel Hernandez de Elche-Instituto Bernabeu, Alicante; b Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of
Medicine, University of Murcia, Espinardo (Murcia); and c Department of Environmental and Chemical Engineering,
Technical University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
Objective: To compare dietary habits in normospermic and oligoasthenoteratospermic patients attending a reproductive
assisted clinic.
Design: An observational, analytical case-control study.
Setting: Private fertility clinics.
Patient(s): Thirty men with poor semen quality (cases) and 31 normospermic control couples attending our
fertility clinics.
Intervention(s): We recorded dietary habits and food consumption using a food frequency questionnaire adapted
to meet specific study objectives. Analysis of semen parameters, hormone levels, Y microdeletions, and karyotypes
were also carried out.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Frequency of intake food items were registered in a scale with nine categories ranging
from no consumption to repeated daily consumption.
Result(s): Controls had a higher intake of skimmed milk, shellfish, tomatoes, and lettuce, and cases consumed
more yogurt, meat products, and potatoes. In the logistic regression model cases had lower intake of lettuce and
tomatoes, fruits (apricots and peaches), and significantly higher intake of dairy and meat processed products.
Conclusion(s): Frequent intake of lipophilic foods like meat products or milk may negatively affect semen quality
in humans, whereas some fruits or vegetables may maintain or improve semen quality. (Fertil Steril 2009;
91:812–8. 2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)