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Public release date: 24 July, 2008
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Soy foods lowers sperm concentrations
Men who eat an average of half a serving of soy food a day have lower concentrations of sperm than men who do not eat
soy foods, according to research published online in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal, Human Reproduction,
today (Thursday 24 July). The association was particularly marked in males who were overweight or obese, the study found.
The authors said plant oestrogens in foods such as tofu, soy mince or milk may interfere with hormonal signals. However,
a UK expert stressed that most men in Asia eat more soy-based products with no fertility problems.
The study does not reveal why soy foods have lowers levels of sperm, but Dr Chavarro, the study leader, speculates that
increased oestrogenic activity may have an adverse effect on the production of sperm by interfering with other hormonal
signals. This effect could be strengthened further in overweight and obese men because men with high levels of body fat
produce more oestrogen than slimmer men, leading to high overall levels of oestrogen in the body and reproductive organs.
The researchers found evidence that the association between soy food intake and sperm concentrations were stronger in
men who were overweight or obese (and 72% of them were). They also found the relationship between soy foods and sperm
concentration was strongest in men with the higher sperm concentrations. "The implication is that men who have normal
or high sperm counts may be more susceptible to soy foods than men with low sperm counts, but this remains to be evaluated," explained Dr Chavarro.
Soy foods are the most important source of phytoestrogens in people in the Western world, and the researchers say they
were able to comprehensively assess the men's soy intake. They did not assess intake of isoflavones from other sources,
such as bakery products made with soy flour. "However, the most likely effect of not assessing intake of these foods
is that the associations reported in this study are attenuated," said Dr Chavarro.
The researchers say that the clinical significance of their research remains to be determined, and further randomised
trials related to the fact that soy foods lowers level of sperm are needed.
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http://www.eshre.com/
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