This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Ghiyath Shayeb, A. Articles by Bhattacharya, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Review: Male obesity and reproductive potential

University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, UK

Siladitya Bhattacharya

University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, UK, s.bhattacharya{at}abdn.ac.uk

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide. There is an established association between female obesity and infertility but a similar link is yet to be proven in men. Herein we review publications, identified via keyword electronic database searches (1980—2008), which considered the influence of adiposity on male reproductive potential. It would appear that obesity has a detrimental effect on semen quality and that there are several potential mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2009;9: 7—12

Key Words: male infertility • obesity • semen.

References

• The World Health Organization (WHO). The SuRF Report 2: The Surveillance of chronic disease Risk Factors. Geneva: WHO, 2005.
• Bellver J., Rossal LP, Bosch E. et al. Obesity and the risk of spontaneous abortion after oocyte donation. Fertil Steril 2003;79:1136-40.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Carlsen E., Giwercman A., Keiding N., Skakkebaek NE Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during past 50 years. BMJ 1992;305:609-13.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Swan SH, Elkin EP, Fenster L. The question of declining sperm density revisited: An analysis of 101 studies published 1934-1996. Environ Health Perspect 2000;108:961-6.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Bretveld R., Kik S., Hooiveld M., van Rooij I., Zielhuis G., Roeleveld N. Time-to-pregnancy among male greenhouse workers. Occup Environ Med 2008;65:185-90.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Tomei G., Ciarrocca M., Bernardini A. et al. Plasma 17-alpha-OH-progesterone in male workers exposed to traffic pollutants. Ind Health 2007;45:170-6.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Oliva A., Spira A., Multigner L. Contribution of environmental factors to the risk of male infertility. Hum Reprod 2001;16:1768-76.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Homan GF, Davies M., Norman R. The impact of lifestyle factors on reproductive performance in the general population and those undergoing infertility treatment: A review. Hum Reprod Update 2007;13: 209-23.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Hammoud AO, Gibson M., Peterson PM, Meikle AW, Carrell DT Impact of male obesity on infertility: a critical review of the current literature. Fertil Steril 2008;90:897-904.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm-cervical mucus interaction. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.
• Kort HI, Massey JB, Elsner CW et al. Impact of body mass index values on sperm quantity and quality. J Androl 2007;27:450-2.[CrossRef][Web of Science]
• Jensen TK, Andersson AM, Jorgensen N. et al. Body mass index in relation to semen quality and reproductive hormones among 1,558 Danish men. Fertil Steril 2004;82:863-70.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Hammoud AO, Wilde N., Gibson M., Parks A., Carrell DT, Meikle AW Male obesity and alteration in sperm parameters. Fertil Steril (In press).
• Aggerholm AS, Thulstrup AM, Toft G., Ramlau-Hansen CH, Bonde JP Is overweight a risk factor for reduced semen quality and altered serum sex hormone profile? Fertil Steril 2008;90:619-26.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Fejes I., Koloszar S., Zavaczki Z., Daru J., Szollosi J., Pal A. Effect of body weight on testosterone/estradiol ratio in oligozoospermic patients. Arch Androl 2006;52:97-102.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Sallmen M., Sandler DP, Hoppin JA, Blair A., Baird DD Reduced fertility among overweight and obese men. Epidemiology 2006;17:520-3.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Nguyen RH, Wilcox AJ, Skjaerven R., Baird DD Men's body mass index and infertility. Hum Reprod 2007;22:2488-93.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Ramlau-Hansen CH, Thulstrup AM, Nohr EA, Bonde JP, Sorensen TIA, Olsen J. Subfecundity in overweight and obese couples. Hum Reprod 2007;22:1634-7.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Pauli EM, Legro RS, Demers LM, Kunselman AR, Dodson WC, Lee PA Diminished paternity and gonadal function with increasing obesity in men. Fertil Steril 2008;90:346-51.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Agarwal A., Said TM Role of sperm chromatin abnormalities and DNA damage in male infertility. Hum Reprod Update 2003;9:331-45.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Evenson DP, Jost LK, Marshall D. et al. Utility of the sperm chromatin structure assay as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in the human fertility clinic. Hum Reprod 1999;14:1039-49.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Dandona P., Aljada A., Chaudhuri A., Mohanty P., Garg R. Metabolic syndrome: a comprehensive perspective based on interactions between obesity, diabetes, and inflammation. Circulation 2005; 111: 1448-54.[Free Full Text]
• Davi G., Falco A. Oxidant stress, inflammation and atherogenesis. Lupus 2005;14:760-4.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Kodama H., Yamaguchi R., Fukuda J., Kasai H., Tanaka T. Increased oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage in the spermatozoa of infertile male patients. Fertil Steril 1997;68:519-24.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Kasturi SS, Tannir J., Brannigan RE The metabolic syndrome and male infertility. J Androl 2008;29:251-9.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Zumoff B., Strain GW, Miller LK et al. Plasma free and non-sex-hormone-binding-globulin-bound testosterone are decreased in obese men in proportion to their degree of obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1990;71:929-31.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Kasturi SS, Tannir J., Brannigan RE The metabolic syndrome and male infertility. J Androl 2008;29:251-9.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Pasquali R., Casimirri F., De Iasio R. et al. Insulin regulates testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations in adult normal weight and obese men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1995;80:654-8.[Abstract]
• Jarow JP, Kirkland J., Koritnik DR, Cefalu WT Effect of obesity and fertility status on sex steroid levels in men. Urology 1993;42:171-4.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Ashok S., Sigman M. Bioavailable testosterone should be used for the determination of androgen levels in infertile men. J Urol 2007; 177:1443-6.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Hofstra J., Loves S., van Wageningen B., Ruinemans-Koerts J., Janssen I., de Boer H. High prevalence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in men referred for obesity treatment. Neth J Med 2008;66:103-109.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Koskelo R., Zaproudina N., Vuorikari K. High scrotal temperatures and chairs in the pathophysiology of poor semen quality. Pathophysiology 2005;11:221-4.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Shafik A., Olfat S. Scrotal lipomatosis. Br J Urol 1981;53:50-4.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• El-Sibai O., Fouad M. Feminizing hormone in scrotal lipomatosis. Assisted Reproductive Technology Andrology 1997;9:29-35.
• Andersen I., Heitman BL, Wagner G. Obesity and sexual dysfunction in Younger Danish Men. J Sex Med 2008;5:2053-60.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Chung WS, Sohn JH, Park YY Is obesity an underlying factor in erectile dysfunction? Eur Urol 1999;36:68-70.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Esposito K., Giugliano D. Obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and sexual dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 2005;17:391-8.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Esposito K., Giugliano F., Ciotola M., De Sio M., D'Armiento M., Giugliano D. Obesity and sexual dysfunction, male and female. Int J Impot Res 2008; 20:358-65.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Larsen SH, Wagner G., Heitmann BL Sexual function and obesity. Int J Obes (Lond) 2007;31:1189-98.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Riedner CE, Rhoden EL, Ribeiro EP, Fuchs SC Central obesity is an independent predictor of erectile dysfunction in older men. J Urol 2006; 176:1519-23.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Trussell JC, Legro RS Erectile dysfunction: does insulin resistance play a part? Fertil Steril 2007;88:771-8.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Wirth A., Manning M., Buttner H. [Metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction. Epidemiologic associations and pathogenetic links] [Article in German]. Urologe A. 2007;46:287-92.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Yassin AA, Saad F., Gooren LJ Metabolic syndrome, testosterone deficiency and erectile dysfunction never come alone. Andrologia 2008; 40:259-64.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Billups KL Erectile dysfunction as an early marker for cardiovascular disease. Geriatrics and Aging 2005;8:46-52.
• Balen AH, Anderson RA, Policy & Practice Committee of the B.F.S. Impact of obesity on female reproductive health: British Fertility Society, Policy and Practice Guidelines. Hum Fertil (Camb) 2007;10:195-206.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Costello MF, Eden JA A systematic review of the reproductive system effects of metformin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril 2003;79:1-13.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Lord JM, Flight IHK, Norman RJ Metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2003;327:951-5.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Tang T., Glanville J., Hayden CJ, White D., Barth JH, Balen AH Combined lifestyle modification and metformin in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicentre study. Hum Reprod 2006;21:80-9.
• Legro RS, Barnhart HX, Schlaff WD et al. Clomiphene, metformin, or both for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med 2007;356:551-66.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Bastounis EA, Karayiannakis AJ, Syrigos K., Zbar A., Makri GG, Alexiou D. Sex hormone changes in morbidly obese patients after vertical banded gastroplasty. Eur Surg Res 1998;30:43-7.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Kaukua J., Pekkarinen T., Sane T., Mustajoki P. Sex hormones and sexual function in obese men losing weight. Obes Res 2003;11:689-94.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Niskanen L., Laaksonen DE, Punnonen K., Mustajoki P., Kaukua J., Rissanen A. Changes in sex hormone-binding globulin and testosterone during weight loss and weight maintenance in abdominally obese men with the metabolic syndrome. Diabetes Obes Metab 2004;6:208-15.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Pasquali R., Casimirri F., Melchionda N. et al. Weight loss and sex steroid metabolism in massively obese man. J Endocrinol Invest 1988;11:205-10.[Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Stanik S., Dornfeld LP, Maxwell MH, Viosca SP, Korenman SG The effect of weight loss on reproductive hormones in obese men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1981;53:828-32.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Strain GW, Zumoff B., Miller LK et al. Effect of massive weight loss on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in obese men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1988;66:1019-23.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Esposito K., Giugliano F., Di Palo C. et al. Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004;291:2978-84.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
• Alper BS Evidence-based medicine. Weight loss may improve erectile dysfunction in obese men. Clinical Advisor 2004;7:113.
• Derby CA, Mohr BA, Goldstein I., Feldman HA, Johannes CB, McKinlay JB Modifiable risk factors and erectile dysfunction: can lifestyle changes modify risk? Urology 2000;56:302-6.[CrossRef][Web of Science][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
• Jackson G. The importance of risk factor reduction in erectile dysfunction. Current Sexual Health Reports 2007;4:114-7.[CrossRef]

The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease, Vol. 9, No. 1, 7-12 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1474651408101281


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. J Kay and C. L R Barratt Male obesity: impact on fertility The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease, September 1, 2009; 9(5): 237 - 241. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. A Mahmood Obesity: a reproductive hurdle The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease, January 1, 2009; 9(1): 3 - 4. [PDF]

				S. M Nelson Obesity, insulin resistance and assisted conception The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease, January 1, 2009; 9(1): 23 - 26. [Abstract] [PDF]

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Ghiyath Shayeb, A. Articles by Bhattacharya, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?