Phytoestrogen intake and other dietary risk factors for low motile sperm count and poor sperm morphology.

BACKGROUND Few potentially modifiable risk factors of male infertility have been identified and while different diets and food groups have been associated with male infertility, evidence linking dietary factors including phytoestrogens and semen quality is limited and contradictory. OBJECTIVES To study the associations between phytoestrogen intake and other dietary factors and semen quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS A case-referent study was undertaken of the male partners, of couples attempting conception with unprotected intercourse for 12 months or more without success, recruited from 14 UK assisted reproduction clinics. 1907 participants completed occupational, lifestyle and dietary questionnaires before semen quality (concentration, motility and morphology) was assessed. Food intake was estimated by a 65-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) covering the 12 months prior to recruitment. Analyses of dietary risk factors for low motile sperm concentration (MSC: 3times /week. DISCUSSION In this case-referent study of men attending an infertility clinic for fertility diagnosis, we have identified that low MSC is inversely associated with daidzein intake. In contrast daidzein intake was not associated with PM y but eating red milk and drinking whole milk were protective. CONCLUSIONS Dietary factors associated with semen quality were identified suggesting that male fertility might be improved by dietary changes.