Obesity and Male Reproduction; Placing the Western Diet in Context

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that obesity has negative repercussions for reproductive physiology in males. Much of this evidence has accumulated from rodent studies employing diets high in fat and sugar (“high fat” or “western” diets). While excessive fats and carbohydrates have long been considered major determinants of diet induced obesity, a growing body of research suggests that the relationships between diet composition and obesity are more complex than originally thought, involving interactions between dietary macronutrients. However, rodent dietary models have yet to evolve to capture this, instead relying heavily on elevated levels of a single macronutrient. While this approach has highlighted important effects of obesity on male reproduction, it does not allow for interpretation of the complex, interacting effects of dietary protein, carbohydrate and fat. Further, the single nutrient approach limits the ability to draw conclusions about which diets best support reproductive function. Nutritional Geometry offers an alternative approach, assessing outcomes of interest over an extended range of dietary macronutrient compositions. This review explores the practical application of Nutritional Geometry to study the effects of dietary macronutrient balance on male reproduction, including experimental considerations specific to studies of diet and reproductive physiology. Finally, this review discusses the promising use of Nutritional Geometry in the development of evidence-based pre-conception nutritional guidance for men.

A mixture of glyphosate and 2,4‐D herbicides enhances the deleterious reproductive outcomes induced by Western diet in obese male mice

“…56,57 This complex process can be severely impaired by external conditions, including WD intake and its resulting comorbidities. [11][12][13][14] In general, our WD protocol…”

“…In obese men, increased inflammation status and oxidative stress, which are hallmarks of obesity, were correlated to reproductive dysfunction. 11 In sexually active male rats, WD consumption (4 weeks) reduced sperm concentration and motility. 12 Furthermore, WD consumption (10 weeks) compromised the blood-testis barrier (BTB), reducing serum testosterone and causing sperm morphological alterations, and microRNA deregulation.…”

“…In addition to these comorbidities, preclinical and clinical studies indicate that obesity may impair male reproductive function. In obese men, increased inflammation status and oxidative stress, which are hallmarks of obesity, were correlated to reproductive dysfunction 11 . In sexually active male rats, WD consumption (4 weeks) reduced sperm concentration and motility 12 .…”

Ketone Body β-Hydroxy-Butyrate Sustains Progressive Motility in Capacitated Human Spermatozoa: A Possible Role in Natural Fertility

“…Increased body adiposity associated with high-calorie intake and malnutrition has been frequently linked to endocrine derangements and infertility in both males and females [ 2 , 3 ]. On the other hand, weight loss and appropriate nutritional regimens are considered first-line strategies to improve all the aforementioned clinical conditions [ 4 , 5 ]. Among the most effective dietary regimens, those involving calorie restriction and an increase in blood ketone-bodies levels, or “ketosis”, are currently gaining a great deal of consensus.…”

Citrus flavanone metabolites protect pancreatic β-cells against cholesterol stress through a multi-proteomic mechanism

“…1 Recent studies pointed to the role of the Western diet in the progression of obesity and other associated clinical conditions such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. [2][3][4] The Western diet is characterized by a high supply of foods rich in saturated fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and sodium, with low consumption of fruits and vegetables and protein sources. 2 Cholesterol at physiological levels is essential for the survival of pancreatic β-cells.…”