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Background: Several diet patterns have been suggested as involved in processes of spermatogenesis and thus in male subfertility. To study the relation between Mediterranean diet and abnormal sperm parameters in men of subfertile couples, we performed a cross‐sectional analysis of baseline data from a prospective cohort study. Methods: Patients were enrolled in an Italian Fertility Clinic. Couples undergoing assisted reproduction techniques (ART) were interviewed to obtain information on personal and health history, lifestyle habits, and diet, on the day of oocyte retrieval. On the same day, a semen sample was also collected and analyzed to proceed with ART. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was evaluated using a Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for semen volume <1.5 mL, sperm concentration <15 mil/mL, and total count <39 mil. Results: Three hundred nine men, age range 27–60, were enrolled: 19.3% had semen volume < 1.5 mL, 30.5% sperm concentration <15 mil/mL, and 32.1% total count <39 mil. MDS was low (0–3) in 86 men (27.8%), intermediate (4–5) in 131 (42.4%), and high (6–9) in 92 (29.8%). Semen volume was not associated with MDS. Compared to the highest MDS category (6–9), the ORs for low sperm concentration were 1.34 (95% CI 0.69–2.50) for MDS 4–5 and 2.42 (95% CI 1.21–4.83) for MDS 0–3, with significant trend (p = 0.011). The corresponding estimates for total count were 1.26 (95% CI 0.66–2.42) and 2.08 (95% CI 1.05–4.12), with significant trend (p = 0.034). These findings were consistent in strata of history of reproductive organ diseases. Conclusions: Mediterranean Diet Score was positively associated with normal sperm concentration and total count, but not with semen volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on pet ownership as a risk or protective factor for asthma and allergy show inconsistent results. This may be on account of insufficient adjustment of confounding factors. Aim: The objective of this study was to describe determinants of cat and dog ownership in European families with and without allergies. Methods: Within the EU-funded network of excellence GA2LEN, we performed meta-analyses with data from 12 ongoing European birth cohort studies on asthma and allergy. Each of the birth cohort studies enrolled between 485 and 4089 children. Pet ownership, allergic status (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema) of parents and siblings, parental education, access to ground floor, and number of people living at home were assessed by questionnaires. Results: Among the 25 056 families from seven European countries cats (14.9%) were more common than dogs (12.0%). Allergic family history significantly reduced the odds to own a cat (adjusted combined random-effect OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.85–0.99), or dog (0.90; 0.86–0.94). A higher parental educational level had even more pronounced effects on cat (0.84; 0.71–0.98), and dog ownership (0.61; 0.54–0.70). Elder siblings reduced the odds to own cats, but not dogs. Convenient ground access significantly increased the odds, whereas crowding at home was not associated with cat or dog ownership. Conclusions: The chances to own a cat or dog were significantly reduced in allergic families, in parents with a higher educational level, and in homes without convenient ground access. In addition to parental allergies, social and housing factors should be considered as potential confounders in studies on pet exposure and allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on pet ownership as a risk or protective factor for asthma and allergy show inconsistent results. This may be on account of insufficient adjustment of confounding factors., Aim: The objective of this study was to describe determinants of cat and dog ownership in European families with and without allergies., Methods: Within the EU-funded network of excellence GA(2)LEN, we performed meta-analyses with data from 12 ongoing European birth cohort studies on asthma and allergy. Each of the birth cohort studies enrolled between 485 and 4089 children. Pet ownership, allergic status (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema) of parents and siblings, parental education, access to ground floor, and number of people living at home were assessed by questionnaires., Results: Among the 25 056 families from seven European countries cats (14.9%) were more common than dogs (12.0%). Allergic family history significantly reduced the odds to own a cat (adjusted combined random-effect OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.85-0.99), or dog (0.90; 0.86-0.94). A higher parental educational level had even more pronounced effects on cat (0.84; 0.71-0.98), and dog ownership (0.61; 0.54-0.70). Elder siblings reduced the odds to own cats, but not dogs. Convenient ground access significantly increased the odds, whereas crowding at home was not associated with cat or dog ownership., Conclusions: The chances to own a cat or dog were significantly reduced in allergic families, in parents with a higher educational level, and in homes without convenient ground access. In addition to parental allergies, social and housing factors should be considered as potential confounders in studies on pet exposure and allergic diseases.