Obesity and smoking habit negatively impact the health of sperms.
Most of the previous
works regarding fertility revolved around the reproductive problems in women.
Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking, drinking were all linked with the reproductive
health of women. The recent Brazilian study investigated the influence of the male partner's
lifestyle, including eating and social habits, on semen quality and fertility
treatment. The study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility involved
250 men undergoing a type of fertility treatment called intracytoplasmic sperm
injection (ICSI).
The frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables, beans,
grains, meat, fish, as well as how often one resorted to smoking and drinking
were assessed using questionnaires. Semen samples were analyzed to know how
healthy and well concentrated the participants' sperms were.
Poor diet
and drinking habits of men reduced sperm motility and lowered their partner's
chance of pregnancy. Being overweight and drinking alcohol were found to lower
the concentration and motility of sperms. Smoking chiefly exerted its negative
effect on sperm motility (i.e. how well the sperms swim). Excessive consumption
of alcohol and coffee were found to lower the chance of fertilization. Embryo
implantation rates and pregnancy rates plummeted when men ate lots of red meat.
Researchers also add that eating better for a few days before
fertility treatments do not help. Modified diet and lifestyle takes months to
fruit in terms of sperm improvement. The new research is an eye opener for
couples undergoing fertility treatments, for it is now clear that not just
women but men also need to stick on to healthy diet and lifestyle for a
successful pregnancy.
References :
Food intake and social habits in male patients and its relationship to
intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes: Fertility and Sterility, November 10, 2011
Source: Medindia
Careers
