Relationship between Dietary Intake of Antioxidant (Vitamins C, E, and Selenium) with Semen Quality

Background and aim: oxidative stress is detrimental to semen quality and has a significant role in the etiology of male subfertility. This study aimed at examine the relationship between dietary intake of antioxidant (vitamins c, e, and selenium) with semen quality. Materials and method: Dietary intake of antioxidants was compared between 35 men with oligolastheno/ teratazoospermic (cases) and 35 normospermic volunteers (controls) attending fertility clinic in al Batool Hospital in Mosul, Iraq. All participants were nonsmokers and matched according their age and Body Mass Index (BMI). Nutrient consumption was calculated using a semi- quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Semen samples were collected and were assessed by measuring volume, concentration, motility and morphology. Results: infertile subjects had a significantly lower intake of Selenium compare to control ones (p<0.001). Dietary intake of vitamin C and E was lower than recommended values in 59.4% of case group that was significantly different from control ones (p<0.05). In the control group, 36.4 and 40.9% of participants had an insufficient dietary intake of vitamin C and E, respectively. Significant correlations were found between Vitamin E (r=0.5, p<0.001), Vitamin C (r=0.6, p<0.001) and percentage of motility and also between vitamin E and morphology (r=0.3, p=0.03), Selenium and concentration (r=0.4, p=0.004) in all participants. Conclusion: In summary, a low intake of antioxidants, and vitamin E were related to poor sperm concentration and motility. Keywords: Dietary antioxidant, Male infertility,