Paola Caruso1, Mariangela Caputo2, Paolo Cirillo1, Lorenzo Scappaticcio1, Miriam Longo1,2, Maria Ida Maiorino3,4, Giuseppe Bellastella1,2, Katherine Esposito1,4. 1. Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy. 2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy. 3. Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy - mariaida.maiorino@unicampania.it. 4. Unit of Diabetes, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dietary regimens have so far been studied as possible determinants of semen quality and fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Mediterranean diet, as compared with a low-fat diet, on seminal parameters of young healthy adults from southern Italy. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 160 young adults aged 18-30 years were assigned to Mediterranean diet (N.=80) or a low-fat diet (N.=80). The primary outcome measures were changes in semen parameters after six months. RESULTS:Mean age of participants in the study was 24.7 years. There was no difference in baseline semen parameters of men randomized to Mediterranean diet or low-fat diet. After the entire follow-up, participants in both groups showed a significant increase in sperm concentration and sperm total count, with significant differences favoring the Mediterranean diet group (sperm concentration, 1.93 M/mL 95% CI [1.22 to 3.64], P=0.027; total sperm count 8.02 M 95% CI [1.51 to 15.45], P=0.035). No differences in other semen parameters were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy young adults, the consumption of Mediterranean diet was associated with an improvement of both sperm concentration and total count, as compared with a low-fat diet.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Dietary regimens have so far been studied as possible determinants of semen quality and fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Mediterranean diet, as compared with a low-fat diet, on seminal parameters of young healthy adults from southern Italy. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 160 young adults aged 18-30 years were assigned to Mediterranean diet (N.=80) or a low-fat diet (N.=80). The primary outcome measures were changes in semen parameters after six months. RESULTS: Mean age of participants in the study was 24.7 years. There was no difference in baseline semen parameters of men randomized to Mediterranean diet or low-fat diet. After the entire follow-up, participants in both groups showed a significant increase in sperm concentration and sperm total count, with significant differences favoring the Mediterranean diet group (sperm concentration, 1.93 M/mL 95% CI [1.22 to 3.64], P=0.027; total sperm count 8.02 M 95% CI [1.51 to 15.45], P=0.035). No differences in other semen parameters were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy young adults, the consumption of Mediterranean diet was associated with an improvement of both sperm concentration and total count, as compared with a low-fat diet.