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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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Santi D, Lotti F, Sparano C, Rastrelli G, Isidori AM, Pivonello R, Barbonetti A, Salonia A, Minhas S, Krausz C, Vignozzi L, Maggi M, Corona G. Does an increase in adipose tissue 'weight' affect male fertility? A systematic review and meta-analysis based on semen analysis performed using the WHO 2010 criteria. Andrology 2024; 12:123-136. [PMID: 37226894 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13460] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obesity negatively impact on the metabolism of sex hormones, leading to reduced testosterone serum levels. However, how the obesity could negatively impact on the overall gonadal function, particularly on male fertility, remained unclear so far. OBJECTIVE To systematically review evidences regarding the influence of body weight excess on the sperm production. METHODS A meta-analysis was conducted, searching all prospective and retrospective observational studies reporting male subjects older than 18 years old, with body weight excess from overweight to severe obesity were considered. Only studies using the V edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) manual for semen analysis interpretation were considered. No specific interventions were considered. Search was focused on studies comparing overweight/obese to normal weight subjects. RESULTS Twenty-eight studies were considered. Total sperm count and sperm progressive motility were significantly lower in overweight compared to normal weight subjects. Meta-regression analyses demonstrated that patients' age impacted on sperm parameters. Similarly, obese men showed lower sperm concentration, total sperm number, progressive and total motilities, and normal morphology lower than normal weight subjects. Reduced sperm concentration in obese men was influenced by age, smoking habit, varicocele, and total testosterone serum levels at meta-regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS The male potential fertility is reduced in subjects with increased body weight, compared to normal weight men. The higher was the increased body weight, the worst was the sperm quantity/quality. This result comprehensively included obesity among non-communicable risk factor for male infertility, shedding new lights on the negative impact of increased body weight on overall gonadal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, AziendaOspedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Lotti
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility, Careggi Hospital, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Clotilde Sparano
- Endocrinology Unit, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Rastrelli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility, Careggi Hospital, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Centre for Rare Diseases (Endo-ERN accredited), Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Diabetologia, Andrologia e Nutrizione, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
- UNESCO, Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Barbonetti
- Andrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Urology, Imperial College NHS Healthcare, London, UK
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility, Careggi Hospital, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility, Careggi Hospital, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Xia Y, Tian Y, Zhou D, Zhang L, Cai Y, Fu S, Zhang X, Gao Y, Chen Q, Gao P. Gut microbiota involved in spermatogenic function of Sancai Lianmei granules in obese mice. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:83-97. [PMID: 36125532 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02296-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a well-established cause of reduced fertility and semen quality in men. Current evidence suggests that Sancai Lianmei granules (SCLM) effectively improve sexual function and semen quality in diabetic patients, while the gut microbiota can influence disease metabolism through various mechanisms. However, the effect of SCLM on the obesity-induced decrease in semen quality and on the gut microbiota is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SCLM on spermatogenic function and gut microbiota in obese mice. Obese mice were induced by a high-fat diet, and lipid metabolism, spermatogenic function, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and autophagy were analyzed to determine the effects of SCLM and SCLM-fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). In addition, changes in the gut microbiota of mice were analyzed. SCLM and SCLM + FMT could effectively reduce the levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL); decrease the expression of oxidative stress products malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxyde-oxyguanosine (8-OHdG); and increase sperm density and sperm viability in obese mice while inhibiting the inflammatory responses and excessive cellular autophagy, indicating that SCLM and SCLM + FMT exerted a protective effect on spermatogenic functions. Furthermore, SCLM affected the gut microbiota composition in mice. This study determined that obesity can lead to reduced sperm motility and affect the composition of the gut microbiota, while SCLM can regulate blood lipids in mice directly or indirectly by regulating gut microbiota changes, and may improve sperm motility in obese mice by reducing oxidative stress and autophagy. In addition, FMT enhanced this effect, which may be related to the diversity of gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguo Xia
- Department of Urology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Urology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongqi Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sichuan Taikang Southwest Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yichen Cai
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shunlian Fu
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaoran Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qiu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 39 Shi-er-qiao Road, Chengdu, 610072, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Ping Gao
- Department of Urology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
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Wang XB, Wu QJ, Liu FH, Zhang S, Wang HY, Guo RH, Leng X, Du Q, Zhao YH, Pan BC. The Association Between Dairy Product Consumption and Asthenozoospermia Risk: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study. Front Nutr 2021; 8:714291. [PMID: 34746202 PMCID: PMC8566545 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.714291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence of an association between dairy product and main related dairy nutrient intake, and the asthenozoospermia risk have been limited and controversial. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study including 549 men with asthenozoospermia and 581 normozoospermic controls was carried out in the infertility clinics of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between June, 2020 and December, 2020. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. According to the World Health Organization guidelines, semen parameters were collected through masturbation and were measured with WLJY9000 instrument and flow cytometry. The daily intake of dairy products and related nutrients was categorized into three groups according to control distribution, and the lowest tertile was used as the reference category. An unconditional multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for asthenozoospermia risk. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, we found no statistically significant associations between the intake of total dairy products and asthenozoospermia risk (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.19, 95%CI = 0.85-1.67). Additionally, we generated null findings regarding the main related nutrients from dairy, including protein (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.19, 95%CI = 0.85-1.68), fat (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.28, 95%CI = 0.91-1.80), calcium (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.20, 95%CI = 0.85-1.68), saturated fatty acids (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.92-1.83), and phosphorous (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.18, 95%CI = 0.84-1.67), and the asthenozoospermia risk. Of note, after stratification by body mass index (BMI), and the saturated fatty acids consumption from dairy was significantly associated with a higher asthenozoospermia risk (ORT3vs.T1 = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.01-3.09) among participants with a BMI below 25 kg/m2. Conclusion: This study provided limited evidence of an association between the intake of total dairy products and the main related dairy nutrients including protein, fat, calcium, saturated fatty acids, and phosphorus, and the asthenozoospermia risk. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bin Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi-Jun Wu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fang-Hua Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Han-Yuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ren-Hao Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xu Leng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Du
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu-Hong Zhao
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo-Chen Pan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Aly J, Plowden TC, Christy AY. Factors contributing to persistent disparate outcomes of in vitro fertilization treatment. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2021; 33:335-342. [PMID: 34101661 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0000000000000726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Disparate healthcare outcomes are ubiquitous and occur across all fields of medicine, specifically for racial and ethnic minorities. Within reproductive health, minority women face disparate access to care, particularly infertility services, poor outcomes of fertility treatment, alarmingly higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality as well as higher rates of preterm birth, lower live birth rates when they conceive spontaneously or when they conceive with assisted reproductive technology. The objective of this review is to highlight factors contributing to the persistent racial/ethnic disparities in in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies document poorer outcomes after IVF treatment. Black women have been shown to have lower live birth rates following IVF treatment for more than 15 years. SUMMARY In an effort to better understand these negative outcomes, scientists and clinicians have investigated possible biological contributing factors including the vaginal microbiome, differences in oocyte quality, embryo viability, endometrial factors, and hormonal differences. Multiple social/cultural factors also play a role including access to care, particularly for people with low income, patient (mis)education, and medical racism/bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Aly
- Program in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Torie C Plowden
- Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina
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Osadchuk L, Shantanova L, Troev I, Kleshchev M, Osadchuk A. Regional and ethnic differences in semen quality and reproductive hormones in Russia: A Siberian population-based cohort study of young men. Andrology 2021; 9:1512-1525. [PMID: 33884771 PMCID: PMC8596582 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background This is the first large‐scale Russian study describing semen quality and reproductive hormone levels among young men. Objectives The aim of the study was to compare semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in young men of four cities and three ethnic groups living in the Siberian region of Russia and to find out ethnic or environmental reasons for regional differences. Materials and methods The study population consisted of 1291 young men from Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Ulan‐Ude, and Yakutsk, including 1013 men of three most numerous ethnic groups: Slavs, Buryats, and Yakuts. Each participant provided one sperm and blood sample, information about lifestyle and ethnicity. Anthropometric parameters, semen quality and reproductive hormone levels, were evaluated. Results Significant regional and ethnic differences were detected for semen and reproductive hormone parameters. Median sperm concentrations in Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Ulan‐Ude, and Yakutsk were 54.6, 39.9, 34.7, 33.1 × 106/ml; total sperm counts—202.5, 138.7, 97.9, 93.4 × 106; percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa—7.8%, 6.5%, 6.3%, 5.0%, respectively. Median sperm concentrations in Slavs, Buryats, and Yakuts were 43.7, 37.0, 30.6 × 106/ml; total sperm counts—150.0, 102.3 and 74.8 × 106; percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa—6.8%, 6.8%, 4.8%, respectively. Discussion The young men in Novosibirsk and Kemerovo, populated by Slavs, had a higher semen quality compared to Ulan‐Ude and Yakutsk, populated by Buryats and Yakuts, apparently due to the higher testicular function in Slavic compared to Asian ethnicity. Impaired spermatogenesis in young men in Kemerovo compared to Novosibirsk, located in the same climatic zone and having a socio‐cultural and ethnic identity, may be due to the influence of a polluted environment. Conclusion The findings suggest that ethnic composition and environment may be responsible for regional differences in semen and reproductive hormone parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Osadchuk
- Federal Research Center 'Institute of Cytology and Genetics', the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Larisa Shantanova
- Institute of General and Experimental Biology, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulan-Ude, Russia
| | - Ivan Troev
- M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, Russia
| | - Maxim Kleshchev
- Federal Research Center 'Institute of Cytology and Genetics', the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander Osadchuk
- Federal Research Center 'Institute of Cytology and Genetics', the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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