Association of whole- and refined-grain intake with semen quality among Iranian men undergoing infertility evaluation

This study aimed to investigate the association between whole- and refined-grain intake and semen quality parameters among Iranian men undergoing infertility evaluation. Higher refined-grain intake was associated with increased odds of abnormal semen quality, particularly abnormal sperm concentration. Men in the highest tertile of refined-grain consumption had higher odds of abnormal semen quality (adjusted OR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.06–5.36) and abnormal sperm concentration (OR: 4.55; 95% CI: 1.57–13.16) compared with those in the lowest tertile. Associations with abnormal sperm motility and morphology were observed after further adjustment for dietary fat. In contrast, no significant associations were observed between whole-grain intake and overall semen quality or individual semen parameters.