Impact of antioxidant and micronutrient intake on varicocele-associated infertility: a retrospective analysis

Varicocele is a leading cause of male infertility, primarily due to oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary intake of antioxidants and micronutrients and semen quality in men with varicocele-related infertility.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 380 men between January 2018 and December 2023. Dietary intake of Vitamin C, E, Zinc, Selenium, CoQ10, and L-carnitine was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Semen parameters and DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) were compared among intake tertiles (T1-T3) using ANOVA and multivariable linear regression, with adjustments for age, BMI, and smoking status.

A higher intake of antioxidants (T3) was found to be significantly associated with increased sperm concentration (38.79 vs. 33.70 million/ml, p < 0.001), total motility (51.09% vs. 46.00%, p < 0.001), and improved morphology (p < 0.001). Regression models indicated that Zinc and CoQ10 were strong predictors of concentration, while Vitamin E and L-carnitine significantly predicted progressive motility (p < 0.001). Interestingly, Vitamin C intake showed an inverse correlation with DNA fragmentation (β = -2.46, p < 0.001).

The findings consistently show that higher intake of certain micronutrients is linked to better semen quality and lower DNA damage in men with varicocele. This underscores the importance of optimizing nutrition as a crucial approach in addressing infertility related to varicocele.