A new study of 244 men undergoing fertility treatment found that eating fruits and vegetables with high pesticide residues was linked to lower success rates in assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. Men who ate the most pesticide-heavy produce had lower fertilization rates and fewer successful pregnancies compared to those who ate cleaner produce. The research suggests that pesticide exposure through food may affect sperm quality in ways that matter for fertility treatment, though scientists still aren’t sure how this affects natural conception.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residues affects how well fertility treatments work for men
  • Who participated: 244 men (average age 36.6 years) and their female partners (average age 35 years) who were trying to get pregnant using assisted reproductive technology between 2007 and 2021 at Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Key finding: Men who ate the most pesticide-heavy fruits and vegetables had fertilization rates of 69% compared to 78% for men who ate the least. Men eating high-pesticide produce also had lower live birth rates and higher miscarriage rates in conventional fertility treatment cycles.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a man considering fertility treatment, choosing organic or low-pesticide produce may help improve your chances of success. However, this research is specific to assisted reproductive technology and doesn’t yet tell us about natural conception.

The Research Details

This was a prospective cohort study, which means researchers followed the same group of men and women over time and tracked what they ate and their fertility treatment outcomes. The study included 437 fertility treatment cycles from 2007 to 2021. Researchers used official U.S. Department of Agriculture data on pesticide residues found in different fruits and vegetables to figure out how much pesticide exposure each man had based on his diet. They then looked at whether men who ate more high-pesticide produce had different fertility treatment results compared to men who ate cleaner produce.

The researchers divided men into four groups based on how much high-pesticide produce they ate (from lowest to highest intake). They then compared fertilization rates, pregnancy rates, miscarriage rates, and live birth rates between these groups. They used statistical methods to account for other factors that might affect fertility, like age, smoking, and body weight.

This research approach is important because it looks at real-world eating patterns and actual fertility treatment outcomes over many years, rather than just measuring sperm quality in a lab. By following couples through their actual fertility treatment, researchers could see whether pesticide exposure actually affects whether treatments succeed in creating pregnancies and healthy babies.

This study has several strengths: it followed a large number of couples over many years, used official government data on pesticide levels, and tracked actual fertility treatment outcomes. However, the study only included people at one hospital in Massachusetts, so results may not apply to all populations. The study also relied on men remembering what they ate, which can be imperfect. Additionally, the study was observational, meaning researchers couldn’t prove that pesticides caused the lower success rates—other factors could be involved.

What the Results Show

Men who ate the most fruits and vegetables with high pesticide residues had significantly lower fertilization rates compared to men who ate the least. Specifically, the fertilization rate dropped from 78% in men eating the least pesticide-heavy produce to 69% in men eating the most. In contrast, men who ate more low-pesticide fruits and vegetables had higher fertilization rates, ranging from 71% to 81%.

The study also found that high pesticide intake was linked to lower live birth rates and higher miscarriage rates, but only in conventional insemination cycles (where sperm and eggs are mixed together in a dish). Interestingly, these associations were not found in ICSI cycles (where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg), suggesting the pesticide effect may be related to how sperm function.

Men eating the most high-pesticide produce had a live birth rate of only 14% compared to 58% for men eating the least. The miscarriage rate was 77% for high-pesticide eaters versus 9% for low-pesticide eaters in conventional cycles.

The protective effect of eating low-pesticide fruits and vegetables was consistent across multiple measures of fertility treatment success. The fact that pesticide effects were only seen in conventional insemination cycles (not ICSI) suggests that pesticides may specifically affect sperm’s ability to fertilize eggs naturally, rather than affecting overall sperm health.

Previous research has shown that men eating high-pesticide produce have lower sperm counts and poorer sperm quality in laboratory tests. This new study extends that finding by showing that these laboratory changes actually translate into lower success rates in real fertility treatment. This is important because it confirms that the sperm quality changes seen in previous studies have real-world consequences for fertility.

The study only included couples at one hospital in Massachusetts, so results may not apply to other regions or populations. The study relied on men’s memory of what they ate, which can be inaccurate. The study couldn’t prove that pesticides directly caused the lower success rates—other factors related to diet or lifestyle could be involved. The study also didn’t measure actual pesticide levels in men’s bodies, only estimated exposure based on food choices. Finally, the study doesn’t tell us whether these findings apply to couples trying to get pregnant naturally without fertility treatment.

The Bottom Line

Men planning fertility treatment should consider eating more organic or low-pesticide fruits and vegetables. This recommendation is supported by moderate evidence from this study. While this research is promising, it’s not yet strong enough to make it a definitive medical requirement. Men should also maintain other healthy habits like avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress, as these also affect fertility.

This research is most relevant for men undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) fertility treatment, particularly conventional insemination cycles. Men trying to conceive naturally should also consider these findings, though the research doesn’t yet confirm benefits for natural conception. Women can also benefit from eating low-pesticide produce for their own health and potentially their fertility. This research is less relevant for couples not dealing with infertility issues, though eating cleaner produce has other health benefits.

If a man changes his diet to include more low-pesticide produce, improvements in sperm quality typically take about 2-3 months to develop, since that’s how long it takes to produce new sperm. Couples should consider making dietary changes at least 3 months before starting fertility treatment to allow time for sperm quality to improve.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of organic or low-pesticide fruits and vegetables versus conventional high-pesticide produce. Set a goal of eating at least 5 servings of low-pesticide produce daily and monitor weekly totals.
  • Use the app to identify which fruits and vegetables have the highest pesticide residues (like strawberries, spinach, and apples) and swap them for organic versions or lower-pesticide alternatives. Create shopping lists that highlight low-pesticide produce options.
  • Track produce intake for at least 3 months before fertility treatment begins. Monitor adherence to low-pesticide eating patterns weekly and adjust as needed. If undergoing fertility treatment, correlate dietary changes with treatment cycle outcomes to see personal results.

This research suggests an association between high-pesticide produce consumption and lower fertility treatment success in men, but does not prove causation. These findings apply specifically to assisted reproductive technology and may not apply to natural conception. Men concerned about fertility should consult with a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility specialist before making significant dietary changes. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or fertility concerns.