Evaluating the Impact of Folate on Male Infertility Using Mendelian Randomization: A Comprehensive Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

In recent decades, the incidence of male infertility has been increasing annually. In clinical practice, the question of whether to supplement folic acid is common among patients. Given the limited guidelines and research on the impact of folic acid on male infertility, this study aims to assess the effect of folic acid on male infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Materials and methods

We conducted a two-sample bidirectional MR study using IEU database data for folate levels and supplementation. Male infertility genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were obtained from the FinnGen Consortium R8 dataset. To evaluate the causal relationship between folate, folate supplementation, and the risk of male infertility, we employed various MR methods, i

SUBMITTER: Wang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12805146 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature