06.01.08
Indication: Healthy sperm
Source: Human Reproduction, May 2008;23(5):1014-22.
Research: Because little is known about the effect of paternal nutrition on aneuploidy in sperm—abnormal sperm in which a chromosome is lost or gained—researchers set out to investigate the association of normal dietary and supplement intake of folate, zinc and antioxidants and the frequency of aneuploidy in human sperm. Sperm samples were taken from 89 healthy, non-smoking men and analyzed for aneuploidy using fluorescent in situ hybridization with probes for chromosomes X, Y and 21. Daily total intake (diet and supplements) for zinc, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene were determined via a food frequency questionnaire.
Results: Men with high folate intake had lower frequencies of sperm aneuploidy compared with men with lower intake. The higher the intake, the lower the frequency of aneuploidy. No consistent associations, however, were found between antioxidant or zinc intakes and sperm aneuploidy. This is one of the first studies to connect paternal nutrition with conception and the development of a healthy offspring.
Source: Human Reproduction, May 2008;23(5):1014-22.
Research: Because little is known about the effect of paternal nutrition on aneuploidy in sperm—abnormal sperm in which a chromosome is lost or gained—researchers set out to investigate the association of normal dietary and supplement intake of folate, zinc and antioxidants and the frequency of aneuploidy in human sperm. Sperm samples were taken from 89 healthy, non-smoking men and analyzed for aneuploidy using fluorescent in situ hybridization with probes for chromosomes X, Y and 21. Daily total intake (diet and supplements) for zinc, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene were determined via a food frequency questionnaire.
Results: Men with high folate intake had lower frequencies of sperm aneuploidy compared with men with lower intake. The higher the intake, the lower the frequency of aneuploidy. No consistent associations, however, were found between antioxidant or zinc intakes and sperm aneuploidy. This is one of the first studies to connect paternal nutrition with conception and the development of a healthy offspring.