An astute examination of the correlation between dietary patterns and male reproductive health.

Abstract

This research endeavors to explore the potential correlation between dietary patterns, supported by reliable biomarkers, and the quality of semen. In a prestigious Metro Care Lab in Prayagraj, India, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of nutrient intake and dietary patterns among 172 individuals from sub-fertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. Through meticulous principal component factor analysis, we sought to discern and understand the intricate relationship between their diets and fertility outcomes. In both blood and seminal plasma, an analysis was conducted to determine the levels of total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. The evaluation of semen quality encompassed various aspects such as sperm volume, concentration, motility, morphology, and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Linear regression models were utilized to examine the relationships between dietary patterns, biomarkers, and sperm parameters, while accounting for factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, vitamin intake, and the presence of varicocele. The Health Conscious dietary pattern, characterized by elevated consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains, emerged as particularly noteworthy. The Traditional Indian culinary tradition is distinguished by its penchant for robust consumption of meat, potatoes, and whole grains, while exhibiting a discernible aversion towards non-alcoholic beverages and confections. The Health Conscious diet demonstrated a negative association with tHcy levels in both blood and seminal plasma, with a significant correlation coefficient of -0.07 (p-value = 0.02). Furthermore, this diet exhibited a positive relationship with vitamin B6 levels in blood, denoted by a correlation coefficient of 0.217 (p-value = 0.01). A remarkable correlation was revealed between the Health Conscious diet and DFI, indicating an inverse association (β –2.81, p 0.05). On the other hand, the Traditional Indian diet showed a positive correlation with red blood cell folate (β 0.06, p 0.04) as well as sperm concentration (β 13.25, p 0.01). Eating healthy and following a traditional Indian diet may be linked to how good a man's sperm is if he and his partner are having trouble getting pregnant.