ArticleFrontiers in nutrition2024
Fasting for male fertility-a mixed methods study.
Article in Frontiers in nutrition, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Sex-Specific Responses to Intermittent Fasting: A Narrative Review Across Physiological, Clinical, and Psychosocial Contexts.Nutrients · 2026Review
- Nighttime-restricted feeding disrupts spermatogenesis in mice via gut microbiota-derived KYNA homeostasis.Communications biology · 2026Article
- Endocrine Adaptations to Prolonged Fasting: From Physiology, Clinical Uncertainties, Translational Challenges to Healthspan Implications.Nutrients · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Purpose: Approximately 10-20% of couples in Germany are unable to conceive. About 50% of this subfertility can be attributed to the male partner. Preclinical studies suggest that fasting could potentially influence central mechanisms of spermatogenesis. This study aimed at investigating feasibility and effects of a Fasting Mimicking Diet (FMD) in the context of male subfertility. Materials and methods: In this two-arm, randomized, controlled, exploratory mixed methods study men with impaired sperm quality were randomized into a fasting and a waiting-list control group. The fasting group followed an FMD (500 kcal/d for 5 days) thrice within 4 months, while the control group was instructed to maintain their lifestyle and diet. We assessed sperm quality according to WHO criteria (total and progressive sperm motility, concentration, total sperm count, ejaculation volume and sperm morphology) from baseline to 6 months later. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a subgroup and evaluated by structured content analysis. Results: Recruitment proved difficult, with 18 out of only 22 recruited participants completing all visits. There were no marked group differences between fasters ( Conclusion: This limited exploratory study showed FMD feasibility but found no notable differences between groups regarding all parameters. Yet, we saw positive trends regarding the between and within group changes in favour of the fasting group. Possible beneficial effects of the FMD on sperm quality should be investigated in larger studies. Interview results suggest that fasting could be a useful supportive intervention in male subfertility regarding self-efficacy and positive lifestyle changes.
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Registered trials
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