Body mass index has no impact on sperm quality but on reproductive hormones levels

Abstract

The influence of overweight and obesity on sperm quality and reproductive hormone levels is under discussion. The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on sperm quality and reproductive hormones. We analysed semen samples and serum levels of FSH, LH, T and PRL of a total of 2110 men attending our andrology unit from 1994 to 2010 due to infertility work-up. Patients were stratified according to their BMI in four groups. Main outcome measures were sperm motility, morphology and concentration. Serum levels of FSH, LH, T and PRL were evaluated as well. No statistically significant difference was found for sperm quality and BMI between patients categorised according to the four BMI levels. T (P < 0.001) and LH (P = 0.006) significantly differed between the four groups. In multivariable analysis, BMI did not have significantly independent influence on all assessed sperm quality parameters, whereas BMI significantly influenced hormone values for LH (P = 0.001), T (P = <0.001) and PRL (P = 0.044). We therefore conclude that BMI has no significant impact on sperm quality parameters. However, serum levels of LH, T and PRL were significantly influenced by BMI.

High body mass index has a deleterious effect on semen parameters except morphology: results from a large cohort study

“…They also contradict the recent meta-analysis (5), but it can be noted that those authors found a negative relationship for T, SHBG, and free T (21,22) with increased BMI, which may, at least in part, explain our findings. Similar findings were reported by Al-Ali et al (23), with no influence on all assessed sperm quality parameters, but on LH (P¼ .001), T (P< .001), and PRL (P¼ .044). In a cohort of Danish men, serum T, SHBG, and inhibin B all decreased with increasing BMI, whereas free androgen index and E 2 increased with increasing BMI.…”

A short-term arm-crank exercise program improved testosterone deficiency in adults with chronic spinal cord injury

“…It should be emphasized our protocol was based only on exercise so that it may facilitate participants´ compliance with the intervention. These findings are of particular interest given that abdominal obesity has a negative impact on reproductive hormone levels such as testosterone (17). In a more detailed way, current evidence suggests excess adipose tissue results in increased conversion of testosterone to estradiol, which may lead to secondary hypogonadism through reproductive axis suppression (18).…”

Paternal obesity negatively affects male fertility and assisted reproduction outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, but five did not pass critical appraisal due to shortcomings in their statistical analysis or reporting (Al-Ali et al, 2012Jamshidi, 2011;Relwani et al, 2011;Sekhavat and Moein, 2010) (Figure 1 Supplementary Table S1). The overall quality of included studies ranged from 4/9 to 8/9.…”