2018 Top Stories in Urology: Diet and Men's Fertility

Men who are consulting for evaluation of infertility (their own and their partners’) are invariably interested in the impact that diet, lifestyle, and other factors that they could control have on their sperm quality and production. Unfortunately, most of the data on dietary effects are correlative and do not provide strong evidence of causative effects of diet on sperm quality. Nassan and colleagues summarize the available data, documenting that men may enhance their sperm production/quality and fertility by favoring seafood, poultry, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.¹ These data are parallel to those reported in other studies suggesting the value of antioxidants, although the exact optimal dose of antioxidants has not been defined. In parallel, it is clear that male obesity is associated with lower circulating testosterone levels and lower fertility potential. This message is of significant value for men interesting in contributing to a pregnancy.