The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background While recent studies suggest a correlation between unhealthy dietary patterns, oxidative stress, inflammation, and male infertility, the potential association between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and male infertility remains underexplored. Therefore, the aim of the present study...
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2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07107-4 |
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| author | Mitra Soltani Mohammad Reza Ahmadi Zainab Shateri Zahra Maghsoudi Milad Rajabzadeh-Dehkordi Moein Askarpour Amir Hossein Asadi Mehran Nouri |
| author_facet | Mitra Soltani Mohammad Reza Ahmadi Zainab Shateri Zahra Maghsoudi Milad Rajabzadeh-Dehkordi Moein Askarpour Amir Hossein Asadi Mehran Nouri |
| author_sort | Mitra Soltani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background While recent studies suggest a correlation between unhealthy dietary patterns, oxidative stress, inflammation, and male infertility, the potential association between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and male infertility remains underexplored. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between UPF intake and male infertility by evaluating sperm quality parameters. Methods The participants (n = 260) of the current cross-sectional study were recruited from an infertility center in Isfahan Province, Iran. Four semen parameters—such as total sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm volume, and normal sperm morphology—were evaluated. Also, the participants’ food intake was assessed using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Moreover, the NOVA system was employed to calculate the UPF index. The association between UPFs and sperm parameters was analyzed using logistic regression. Results In the crude model, no significant associations were observed between the second and last tertiles of UPFs with abnormalities in sperm concentration, total motility, and morphology (p > 0.05 for all). However, after adjusting for age, marriage duration, body mass index, physical activity, depression, anxiety, stress, energy intake, cigarette history, and mineral and vitamin supplements, a significantly higher association was identified between the second tertile of UPFs and abnormalities in sperm concentration (odds ratio (OR) = 3.962, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.345–11.670, p = 0.013). Conclusions In conclusion, although the analysis did not find significant associations between UPF consumption and impaired sperm motility and morphology, it revealed significant trends linking higher UPF intake with lower sperm concentration. If future studies confirm these results, they could aid in designing interventional and preventive programs aimed at addressing infertility in men of reproductive age in the field of public health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ca52d6f9c1874dcea9e8f8428b137436 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1756-0500 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Research Notes |
| spelling | doaj-art-ca52d6f9c1874dcea9e8f8428b1374362025-02-02T12:06:59ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002025-02-011811910.1186/s13104-025-07107-4The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional studyMitra Soltani0Mohammad Reza Ahmadi1Zainab Shateri2Zahra Maghsoudi3Milad Rajabzadeh-Dehkordi4Moein Askarpour5Amir Hossein Asadi6Mehran Nouri7Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nutrition and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical SciencesIranian Social Security Organization, Isfahan Province Health AdministrationStudent Research Committee, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesInfertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background While recent studies suggest a correlation between unhealthy dietary patterns, oxidative stress, inflammation, and male infertility, the potential association between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and male infertility remains underexplored. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between UPF intake and male infertility by evaluating sperm quality parameters. Methods The participants (n = 260) of the current cross-sectional study were recruited from an infertility center in Isfahan Province, Iran. Four semen parameters—such as total sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm volume, and normal sperm morphology—were evaluated. Also, the participants’ food intake was assessed using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Moreover, the NOVA system was employed to calculate the UPF index. The association between UPFs and sperm parameters was analyzed using logistic regression. Results In the crude model, no significant associations were observed between the second and last tertiles of UPFs with abnormalities in sperm concentration, total motility, and morphology (p > 0.05 for all). However, after adjusting for age, marriage duration, body mass index, physical activity, depression, anxiety, stress, energy intake, cigarette history, and mineral and vitamin supplements, a significantly higher association was identified between the second tertile of UPFs and abnormalities in sperm concentration (odds ratio (OR) = 3.962, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.345–11.670, p = 0.013). Conclusions In conclusion, although the analysis did not find significant associations between UPF consumption and impaired sperm motility and morphology, it revealed significant trends linking higher UPF intake with lower sperm concentration. If future studies confirm these results, they could aid in designing interventional and preventive programs aimed at addressing infertility in men of reproductive age in the field of public health.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07107-4Ultra-processed foodsDietDietary patternsOxidative stressMale infertilitySperm quality |
| spellingShingle | Mitra Soltani Mohammad Reza Ahmadi Zainab Shateri Zahra Maghsoudi Milad Rajabzadeh-Dehkordi Moein Askarpour Amir Hossein Asadi Mehran Nouri The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional study BMC Research Notes Ultra-processed foods Diet Dietary patterns Oxidative stress Male infertility Sperm quality |
| title | The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | The association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sperm quality parameters: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | association between consumption of ultra processed foods and sperm quality parameters a cross sectional study |
| topic | Ultra-processed foods Diet Dietary patterns Oxidative stress Male infertility Sperm quality |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07107-4 |
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