Impact of A Fertility Diet on Male Reproductive Function: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial in Idiopathic Infertility Patients.

Abstract

Objective: Over the past few decades, a marked decline in human semen quality has been observed, with evidence suggesting that dietary factors may account for 50-60% of this decline. The present randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a fertility diet (FD) on sperm parameters in infertile men.

Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 70 infertile men were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group, which followed the FD plan, and the control group, which kept a healthy diet (HD) for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, semen analysis, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and sex hormone profiles were assessed before and after the intervention. Dietary intake was monitored throughout the study.

Results: Compared to the HD group, the FD group showed significant improvements in total sperm count (P=0.016), sperm concentration (P=0.003), total motility (P=0.024), progressive motility (P=0.048), and normal morphology (P=0.023). Participants in the FD group showed an increase in the intake of total fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber during the intervention (P<0.05). Additionally, the FD group consumed higher amounts of key fertility-related micronutrients including magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and lycopene. Notably, a significant reduction in DFI (P=0.010) and MDA (P<0.001) was also observed in the FD group compared to the HD group. No significant differences were found in sex hormone levels or anthropometric parameters between the groups.

Conclusion: These findings suggest the potential of a FD to improve sperm parameters and reduce DFI and oxidative stress. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations are needed to confirm these effects (registration number: IRCT20230514058181N1).