Nutritional modifications in male infertility: a systematic review covering 2 decades.

Study answer

What this study found

Overall, nutritional modification appeared potentially beneficial, but the evidence was mixed and heterogeneous. The clearest signal was that a healthy diet may improve at least one semen-quality measure, while diets high in lipophilic foods, soy isoflavones, and sweets may worsen semen quality. Among supplement trials, coenzyme Q10 improved semen parameters in two studies and pregnancy rate in one 48-week trial, whereas saffron and selenium alone did not significantly improve semen parameters. Selenium plus vitamin A improved sperm motility and conception chances.

Study & population

Systematic review of studies in infertile men with male-factor infertility, including sperm dysfunction, oligozoospermia, and asthenozoospermia.

Intervention

This systematic review covered nutritional modifications and micronutrient supplementation for male infertility, including saffron (60 mg/day for 26 weeks), L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine regimens, coenzyme Q10 (300 mg daily for 26 weeks or 300 mg twice daily for 48 weeks), selenium-based supplementation, and one…

Key limitation

Evidence was limited by substantial heterogeneity in interventions, populations, outcomes, and study quality.

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Original abstract