Search

Background: Psychological stress is prevalent among reproductive‐aged men. Assessment of semen quality for epidemiological studies is challenging as data collection is expensive and cumbersome, and studies evaluating the effect of perceived stress on semen quality are inconsistent. Objective: To examine the association between perceived stress and semen quality. Material and methods: We analyzed baseline data on 644 men (1,159 semen samples) from two prospective preconception cohort studies during 2015–2021: 592 in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) and 52 in SnartForaeldre.dk (SF). At study entry, men aged ≥21 years (PRESTO) and ≥18 years (SF) trying to conceive without fertility treatment completed a questionnaire on reproductive and medical history, socio‐demographics, lifestyle, and the 10‐item version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; interquartile range [IQR] of scores: 0–40). After enrollment (median weeks: 2.1, IQR: 1.3–3.7), men were invited to perform in‐home semen testing, twice with 7–10 days between tests, using the Trak Male Fertility Testing System. Semen quality was characterized by semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count. We fit generalized estimating equation linear regression models to estimate the percent difference in mean log‐transformed semen parameters by four PSS groups (<10, 10–14, 15–19, ≥20), adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The median PSS score and IQR was 15 (10–19), and 136 men (21.1%) had a PSS score ≥20. Comparing men with PSS scores ≥20 with <10, the adjusted percent difference was −2.7 (95% CI: −9.8; 5.0) for semen volume, 6.8 (95% CI: ‐10.9; 28.1) for sperm concentration, and 4.3 (95% CI: −13.8; 26.2) for total sperm count. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that perceived stress is not materially associated with semen volume, sperm concentration, or total sperm count. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Dietary factors, including high sugar intake, may have adverse effects on male reproduction. Studies of the association between sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and semen quality have reported inconsistent results.We estimated the effects of SSB consumption on semen quality in a North American preconception cohort study.We analyzed baseline data from 690 males (n = 1,247 samples) participating in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) during 2015–2022. Participants aged ≥21 years completed a baseline questionnaire on which they reported information about intake of SSBs, including sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juices. After enrollment, we invited U.S. participants to a semen testing substudy, in which they collected and analyzed two samples using an at‐home semen testing kit. We used linear regression models to estimate adjusted percent differences (%D) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations of SSB intake with semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), motility, and total motile sperm count (TMSC). We used modified Poisson regression models to estimate adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs for the association of SSB intake with World Health Organization semen parameter cut points.Relative to non‐consumers of SSBs, those who consumed ≥7 SSBs/week had lower semen volume (%D = −6, 95% CI: −13, 0), sperm concentration (%D = −22, 95% CI: −38, 0), TSC (%D = −22, 95% CI: −38, −2), motility (%D = −4, 95% CI: −10, 2), and TMSC (%D = −25, 95% CI: −43, −2). High SSB consumers also had greater risks of low sperm concentration (≤16 million/mL; RR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.21), low TSC (≤39 million; RR = 1.75, 95% CI: 0.92, 3.33), low motility (≤42%; RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.75) and low TMSC (≤21 million; RR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.38). Associations were stronger among participants with body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2.Greater SSB consumption was associated with reduced semen quality in a North American preconception cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]