Coffee and caffeine intake and male infertility: a systematic review
Ricci E, Viganò P, Cipriani S, Somigliana E, Chiaffarino F, Bulfoni A, Parazzini F
Nutrition journal · 78 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2017-06-24 · Nutr J · vol. 16 · issue 1 · p. 37
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Cited
- 157 citations · more than 90% of similar papers · 2.4× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 63 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Sperm and Testicular Function · Coffee research and impacts · Hormonal and reproductive studies
- Keywords
- Caffeine, Sperm, Medicine, Semen, Fertility, Male infertility, Semen quality, Semen analysis, Infertility, Physiology, Observational study, Reproductive medicine, Gynecology, Pregnancy, Andrology, Biology, Internal medicine, Population, Environmental health, Genetics
- MeSH
- spermatozoa, humans, infertility, male, dna damage, caffeine, sperm count, sperm motility, fertility, carbonated beverages, coffee, male, semen analysis, observational studies as topic
7 authors
From IT
- Elena Delfina Ricci · correspondingFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
- Paola ViganòIRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele
- Sonia CiprianiFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
- Edgardo SomiglianaFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
- Francesça ChiaffarinoFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico
- Alessandro BulfoniIRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital
Abstract
Background
Semen quality, a predictor of male fertility, has been suggested declining worldwide. Among other life style factors, male coffee/caffeine consumption was hypothesized to influence semen parameters, but also sperm DNA integrity. To summarize available evidence, we performed a systematic review of observational studies on the relation between coffee/caffeine intake and parameters of male fertility including sperm ploidy, sperm DNA integrity, semen quality and time to pregnancy.
Methods
A systematic literature search was performed up to November 2016 (MEDLINE and EMBASE). We included all observational papers that reported the relation between male coffee/caffeine intake and reproductive outcomes: 1. semen parameters, 2. sperm DNA characteristics, 3. fecundability. All pertinent reports were retrieved and the relative reference lists were systematically searched in order to identify any potential additional studies that could be included.
Results
We retrieved 28 papers reporting observational information on coffee/caffeine intake and reproductive outcomes. Overall, they included 19,967 men. 1. Semen parameters did not seem affected by caffeine intake, at least caffeine from coffee, tea and cocoa drinks, in most studies. Conversely, other contributions suggested a negative effect of cola-containing beverages and caffeine-containing soft drinks on semen volume, count and concentration. 2. As regards sperm DNA defects, caffeine intake seemed associated with aneuploidy and DNA breaks, but not with other markers of DNA damage. 3. Finally, male coffee drinking was associated to prolonged time to pregnancy in some, but not all, studies.
Conclusions
The literature suggests that caffeine intake, possibly through sperm DNA damage, may negatively affect male reproductive function. Evidence from epidemiological studies on semen parameters and fertility is however inconsistent and inconclusive. Well-designed studies with predefined criteria for semen analysis, subject selection, and life style habits definition, are essential to reach a consistent evidence on the effect of caffeine on semen parameters and male fertility.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
Community trust
Loading…
How much do you trust this study's findings?
Comments
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inSomething wrong here?
Flag this study if its information, labels or funding look wrong. An editor reviews every flag.
Sign in to rate, comment on or flag this study.Sign inEducational information about published research. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to start or stop anything.