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Cannarella R, Crafa A, Curto R, Condorelli RA, La Vignera S, Calogero AE. Obesity and male fertility disorders. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 97:101273. [PMID: 38593513 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Often associated with obesity, male infertility represents a widespread condition that challenges the wellbeing of the couple. In this article, we provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of studies exploring the association between obesity and male reproductive function, to evaluate the frequency of this association, and establish the effects of increased body weight on conventional and biofunctional sperm parameters and infertility. In an attempt to find possible molecular markers of infertility in obese male patients, the numerous mechanisms responsible for infertility in overweight/obese patients are reviewed in depth. These include obesity-related functional hypogonadism, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, chronic inflammation, adipokines, irisin, gut hormones, gut microbiome, and sperm transcriptome. According to meta-analytic evidence, excessive body weight negatively influences male reproductive health. This can occurr through a broad array of molecular mechanisms. Some of these are not yet fully understood and need to be further elucidated in the future. A better understanding of the effects of metabolic disorders on spermatogenesis and sperm fertilizing capacity is very useful for identifying new diagnostic markers and designing therapeutic strategies for better clinical management of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andrea Crafa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberto Curto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosita A Condorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Alfaiate MI, Tavares RS, Ramalho-Santos J. A ripple effect? The impact of obesity on sperm quality and function. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23215. [PMID: 38589340 DOI: 10.1071/rd23215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples trying to conceive. Male-related causes account for roughly 50% of cases, with obesity emerging as a possible significant factor. Obesity, defined as a body mass index of 30.0 or higher, has become a widespread epidemic associated with numerous health issues, including a decrease of fertility. This review discusses the relationship between obesity and male infertility, particularly focusing on sperm quality and function. An overview of the literature suggests that obesity may influence the male reproductive system via disruptions in hormonal profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammation, leading to changes in sperm parameters. Several studies have discussed if obesity causes a decrease in sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology, so far without a consensus being reached. However, available evidence suggests an impairment of sperm function in obese men, due to an increase in DNA damage and oxidative stress, impaired mitochondrial function and acrosome reaction in response to progesterone. Finally, the relationship between obesity and assisted reproductive technologies outcomes remains debatable, with conflicting evidence regarding the influence on fertilisation, pregnancy, and live birth rates. Therefore, the actual impact of obesity on human spermatozoa still needs to be clarified, due to the multiple factors potentially in play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Inês Alfaiate
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Coimbra, Portugal; and University of Coimbra, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Renata Santos Tavares
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Coimbra, Portugal; and Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-456, Portugal
| | - João Ramalho-Santos
- University of Coimbra, CNC-UC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB, Coimbra, Portugal; and Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-456, Portugal
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Zhang X, Wu S, Qi X, Gao S, Qi J, Zhang S, Tan J. Effect of Paternal Body Mass Index on In Vitro Fertilization and Neonatal Outcomes among Oligozoospermia and Asthenospermia Patients. World J Mens Health 2024; 42:216-228. [PMID: 37382283 PMCID: PMC10782126 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Male overweight and obesity could affect sperm quality and reproductive health. However, the impact of body mass index (BMI) on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in oligospermia and/or asthenospermia patients is yet lacking. This study aims to assess the impact of paternal BMI on ART and neonatal outcomes among oligozoospermia and/or asthenospermia patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, 2,075 couples undergoing their first fresh embryo transfer between January 2015 and June 2022 were recruited. Following the World Health Organization's (WHO's) categories, couples were stratified into three cohorts based on paternal BMI: normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m²). Modified Poisson regression models were used to assess the associations of paternal BMI with fertilization, in vitro embryonic development, and pregnancy outcomes. Logistic regression models were performed to investigate the associations of paternal BMI with pregnancy loss and neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, stratified analyses were performed based on fertilization methods, male infertility cause, and maternal BMI. RESULTS Higher paternal BMI is associated with a lower likelihood of achieving normal fertilized (p-trend=0.002), Day 3 transferable (p-trend=0.007), and high-quality embryos (p-trend=0.046) in IVF cycles, rather than in ICSI cycles. Paternal BMI of oligospermia or asthenospermia was negatively correlated with day 3 transferable (p-trend=0.013 and 0.030) and high-quality embryos (p-trend=0.024 and 0.027). Moreover, for neonatal outcomes, paternal BMI was positively associated with macrosomia (p-trend=0.019), large for gestational age (LGA) (p-trend=0.031), and very LGA (p-trend=0.045). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggested that higher paternal BMI was associated with fetal overgrowth, reduced fertilization, and embryonic development potential. Among males with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia, the impact of overweight and obesity on the choice of fertilization method and the long-term effects on their offspring need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Zhang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Disease and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Disease and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaohan Qi
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Disease and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Disease and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiarui Qi
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Disease and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Siwen Zhang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Disease and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Jichun Tan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Disease and Fertility Remodeling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.
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Peel A, Saini A, Deluao JC, McPherson NO. Sperm DNA damage: The possible link between obesity and male infertility, an update of the current literature. Andrology 2023; 11:1635-1652. [PMID: 36789664 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Obesity prevalence worldwide is increasing significantly. Whilst maternal obesity has clear detrimental impacts on fertility, pregnancy and foetal outcomes, more recently there has been an increasing focus on the role of paternal obesity in human fertility. Recent meta-analyses have indicated that obesity in men negatively affects basic sperm parameters such as sperm count, concentration and motility, increases the incidence of infertility and reduces the chances of conception. Sperm DNA damage, typically characterised by DNA strand breaks and oxidation of DNA nucleotides, is a specialised marker of sperm quality that has been independently associated with recurrent miscarriage, reduced assisted reproduction success and increased mutational loads in subsequent offspring. Whilst, there are still conflicting data in humans as to the association of obesity in men with sperm DNA damage, evidence from rodent models is clear, indicating that male obesity increases sperm DNA damage. Human data are often conflicting because of the large heterogeneity amongst studies, the use of body mass index as the indicator of obesity and the methods used for detection of sperm DNA damage. Furthermore, comorbidities of obesity (i.e., heat stress, adipokines, insulin resistance, changes in lipids, hypogonadism and obstructive sleep apnoea) are also independently associated with increased sperm DNA damage that is not always modified in men with obesity, and as such may provide a causative link to the discrepancies amongst human studies. In this review, we provide an update on the literature regarding the associations between obesity in men and fertility, basic sperm parameters and sperm DNA damage. We further discuss potential reasons for the discrepancies in the literature and outline possible direct and indirect mechanisms of increased sperm DNA damage resulting from obesity. Finally, we summarise intergenerational obesity through the paternal linage and how sperm DNA damage may contribute to the transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Peel
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Anmol Saini
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Joshua C Deluao
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nicole O McPherson
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Health and Medical School, School of Biomedicine, Discipline of Reproduction and Development, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Repromed IVF Adelaide, Dulwich, South Australia, Australia
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Ameratunga D, Gebeh A, Amoako A. Obesity and male infertility. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 90:102393. [PMID: 37572397 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing among both sexes, with associated impacts on chronic health and medical comorbidities. Similarly, the effects of obesity on reproductive health are increasingly being recognized. Adiposity is associated with reduced fertility in men, with a complex and multifactorial etiology. The reported effects of obesity on semen parameters and impaired fertility are contrasting, with some studies showing a clear reduction in reproductive outcomes associated with increased body mass index, while others do not show such impacts. These controversies may be due to the complex pathophysiology and interplay between gonadotropins and end organs, as well as genetic and epigenetic changes and oxidative stress on male fertility and function. These different aspects have led to heterogeneous participants in studies and varying implications for assisted reproductive outcomes as well as offspring health. Treatment modalities to manage obesity include lifestyle, medical, and surgical options, with emerging and effective medical treatments showing promise in reproductive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devini Ameratunga
- Mayne Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Fertility Group (QFG), Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alpha Gebeh
- Department of Maternity and Gynecology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Akwasi Amoako
- Mayne Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
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Ceraolo C, Rubano A, Gabrielsen JS. Obesity and Male Infertility: True, True, and Unrelated? Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:70-79. [PMID: 38198791 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
While the prevalence of obesity has rapidly increased worldwide, there has also been a notable decline in semen parameters over the last several decades. While obesity can negatively impact reproductive hormones, many studies have sought a link between rising obesity and decreased male fertility potential. Nonetheless, few data support a direct link between the two. The focus on obesity as a causative factor in male infertility can potentially result in patient harm through delayed fertility treatment and missed diagnoses. This review investigates the associations between obesity and male infertility and why a potential direct link has been elusive and may not exist. Additionally, indirect mechanisms that may link the two will be reviewed and treatment options for obese infertile men presenting for evaluation will briefly be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Ceraolo
- Department of Urology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Amanda Rubano
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
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