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An association between a high total fat intake and lower sperm count and concentration in men was announced in the journal Human Reproduction.
Professor Richard Sharpe, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, said:
“There is concern about the number of young men who have sperm counts so low that it can impair their fertility – across Europe, 1 in 6 men are so affected, far higher than 60 years ago. Most evidence points towards low sperm counts (concentration) being due to impaired testis development whilst the men were babies in the womb, but the current study suggests that consumption by men of a ‘Western’ style diet, high in saturated fats, might also lower their sperm counts.
“This study shows an association between eating a high (saturated) fat diet and lower sperm concentration, but it does not show that one causes the other. Numerous earlier studies have examined if men being overweight (high BMI) reduces their sperm concentration/sperm quality and the consensus is that any effects are small. In the present study most men were over-weight, but lower sperm concentration was found only in those who had higher fat intakes. This raises the possibility that previous studies missed associations because they grouped men just according to their weight.
“This study involved low numbers and fertility clinic patients, which urges a cautious interpretation. This is especially so for findings relating to the association between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and better sperm morphology; in this study, as in general, the majority of sperm produced by men are still classed as ‘not normal’. Nevertheless, as there are other well-proven health benefits from reducing saturated fat intake and increasing consumption of foods containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, it is common sense to recommend that men adopt such a diet. If this should also improve their sperm concentration and/or quality then it is ‘icing on the cake’.”
Dr. Allan Pacey, Senior Lecturer in Andrology at the University of Sheffield, said:
“This is a relatively small study showing an association between dietary intake of saturated fats and semen quality. Perhaps unsurprisingly there appeared to be a reasonable association between the two, with men who ate the highest levels of saturated fats having the lowest sperm counts and those eating the most omega-3 polyunsaturated fats having the highest. Importantly, the study does not show that one causes the other and further work needs to be carried out to clarify this. But it does add weight to the argument that having a good heathy diet may benefit male fertility as well as being good general health advice.
“We know from other studies that a diet rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fats can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems as well as possibly improve other clinical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and in some mental health disorders (e.g. depression). Therefore, although the direct link between fat diet and fertility is not yet proven, there are many reasons for men to consider reducing their saturated fat intake, and their fertility may also benefit as a result.
“Male infertility usually results from a combination of poor sperm production and/or poor sperm function. Estimates suggest that up to 20% of young males have poor semen quality and of the couples attending for IVF 30-50% have a male fertility problem. Currently we have few ways of improving sperm quality for men who are sub-fertile and so men wishing to improve their chances of conception should try and be as healthy as possible and that includes eating sensibly, stopping smoking and if they are overweight trying to bring their BMI into the normal range.”
‘Dietary fat and semen quality among men attending a fertility clinic’ by Jill Attaman et al., published in Human Reproduction e on Wednesday 14th March.