How Much Obesity and Diabetes Do Impair Male Fertility?

Abstract

BackgroundSubfertility in obese and diabetic men during the reproductive age is evident, but the mechanisms by which obesity and diabetes mellitus cause male infertility are not entirely understood. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects and potential mechanisms of obesity and diabetes on male fertilityMethodsWe enrolled control=40, obese=40, Lean-DM=35, and Obese-DM=35 individuals. The obesity-associated markers, diabetic markers, hormonal and lipid profile, inflammatory indices, and semen analysis were assessed in four experimental groups.ResultsOur finding showed that diabetic markers were significantly increased in two diabetic groups, while obesity indices were markedly increased in two obese groups. Conventional sperm parameters were significantly lower in three groups compared with the control. Serum levels of total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin were significantly lower in men with obesity and DM compared with the control. There was a significant difference in the concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein among four experimental groups. Moreover, serum leptin was significantly increased in obese DM, lean DM, and obese groups. Serum insulin levels had a positive correlation with metabolic-associated indices and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, whereas it had a negative correlation with count, motility, and morphology. ConclusionsOur findings showed the metabolic changes, hormonal dysfunction and inflammatory disturbance might be suspected mechanisms of subfertility in obese and diabetic subfertile men.

Obesity is associated with quality of sperm parameters in men with infertility: a cross-sectional study

“…They also found no significant correlation between BMI and sperm concentration, normal morphology, and progressive motility [ 40 ]. According to Abbasihormozi et al, high BMI was negatively correlated with sperm normal morphology, sperm motility, progressive motility, and sperm count [ 41 ]. Contrary to our results, Pooladi et al reported a negative correlation between BMI and sperm motility (overall or progressive) but not sperm morphology and count [ 42 ].…”

“…Several recent studies with interesting results have been conducted since the aforementioned meta-analyses [39][40][41][42]. For example, in a cross-sectional study, Esmaeili et al found that BMI was negatively correlated with normal sperm morphology, sperm total motility, and progressive motility, but it had no effect on sperm volume and concentration.…”