Associations between major dietary patterns and testicular function in a population-based cohort of young men: results from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study

Background Controversial speculation suggestions that dietary intake may affect semen quality and testicular function, however, there are limited comprehensive studies observing dietary patterns. Objective To study associations between major dietary patterns and markers of testicular function in adulthood. Material and Methods Observational cross-sectional study of two hundred and ninety men with an average age of 20 years, from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Usual dietary intake assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at 20 years of age. Two dietary patterns previously identified using exploratory factor analysis ("Healthy" or "Western") and participants received z-scores for each dietary pattern. Primary endpoints were testicular volume, total sperm per ejaculate, morning serum testosterone concentration. Secondary endpoints were semen sample parameters, inhibin B and sex steroids (DHT: 3 alpha-diol, 3 beta-diol; LH; FSH; DHEA; estradiol; estrone). Result(s) Participants were on average 20.0 +/- 0.4 years old, had a median of 2 days sexual abstinence and a body mass index of 24.1 +/- 3.9 kg/m(2), 13% were smokers, 52% were 'moderate' alcohol drinkers, 23% frequently used recreational drugs and 68% reported 'high' physical activity levels. Sperm concentration and DHT 3 alpha-diol were negatively associated with a greater z-score for the "Western" dietary pattern (p = 0.007 and; p = 0.044, respectively), and serum estradiol concentration was positively associated with a "Western" dietary pattern (p = 0.007) after adjustment for BMI, varicocele, cryptorchidism and sexual abstinence. Discussion Despite associations between greater intake of the "Western" dietary pattern and a decreased male reproductive health markers, our lack of consistent associations of either a "Healthy" or a "Western" dietary pattern, limit clinical or biological significance in isolation. Conclusions A potential negative association of a "Western" dietary pattern with male reproductive health was detected and should be studied further in population-based studies.