Young SS et al. (2008) The association of folate, zinc and antioxidant intake with sperm aneuploidy in healthy non-smoking men. Human Reprod 23: 1014–1022

Mechanisms of sperm aneuploidy (an abnormal chromosome number in male gametes) are not fully understood. In particular, the effects of nutrition on sperm aneuploidy have not been investigated in humans, although in vitro and animal studies have suggested that micro-nutrients, such as folate, zinc and antioxidants, have a role in spermatogenesis. Young and colleagues studied the effects of dietary and supplemental intake of these micronutrients on the frequency of human sperm aneuploidy.

The study included healthy, nonsmoking men who were enrolled in the AGES study (Age and Genetic Damage in Sperm). Daily nutrient intake was estimated by the 100-item Modified Block Food Frequency Questionnaire, and participants also provided a semen sample for analysis.

The 89 eligible men were predominantly white (91%), with a mean age of 44.7 ± 15.1 years. Men in the highest quartile of total folate intake had significantly lower frequencies of disomy X, disomy 21 and sex nullisomy, and a significantly lower overall frequency of sperm aneuploidy compared with men with low folate intake. There was also a significant inverse correlation between total folate intake and overall frequency of sperm aneuploidy. Zinc and antioxidant intake did not show consistent, statistically significant associations with aneuploidy frequency.

The authors conclude that high folate intake is associated with reduced frequency of sperm aneuploidy. These results are consistent with the abnormal meiotic chromosome segregation reported in women with impaired folate metabolism.