Role of Obesity in Low Sperm Count & Male Infertility

According to the Researchers at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Scotland "There is a very long list of health hazards from being overweight, now we can add poor semen quality to the list?"

Male infertility could be a combined result of -

1.  Fat tissue - which affects the metabolism of sex hormones and in excess disrupts sperm production.

2.  Internal body temperature - Excess fat probably overheats the area where sperms are produced, leading to a deleterious effect, as this area is invariably cooler than body temperature.

A Study conducted between 1996 and 1998, on around 1500 Danish male volunteers to co-relate Body mass index to semen quality and reproductive hormones, found that both a high or low BMI was associated with reduced semen quality. It was still unclear on the exact nature in which the semen quality was affected.

In early 2010 a study was published in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility, wherein they found that the quality of sperms in obese men appeared poorer, the sperm count lower and fewer `progressively motile' sperms (those that swim straight ahead than those sperms that move around without direction), compared to their thinner counter parts. Semen samples were taken, from 749 male Argentineans for the study on infertility in couples, of which 155 men were found to be obese. These men had fewer motile sperms and even fewer rapidly moving sperm as compared to those of men who were normal or slightly overweight. (Assess your BMI & WHR to get a report)

Another interesting finding in the study was that these obese men appeared to have a lower concentration of an enzyme called NAG - or Neutral Alpha-Glucosidase, secreted into the fluid of the epididymis (A part of the male reproductive system behind the testes where the sperm attain maturity and acquire motility). The concentration of NAG in the semen, normally acts, as an indicator of the efficient functioning of the epididymis and this was the first indication on how obesity could have a deleterious effect on the epididymal function.

They however did not see a link between obesity and the sperm count, testosterone levels and sperm morphology.

The conclusion therefore, by Dr Ana Carolina Martini, the lead researcher and her team, from The National University of Cordoba, Argentina was that an increase in weight in a man will probably lower his fertility but will not lead to sterility. However, an obese man could positively improve his sperm quality by losing some weight. In effect, it could probably reverse the imbalance in reproductive hormones linked to obesity, to improve fertility. 

Nevertheless, the study appeared to have two major limitations.

1. The focus of the study was not on obesity and its effect on fertility, but more on infertility problems in couples, and these findings were incidental. The question therefore was whether the findings would apply to all obese men in general.

2. The researchers used BMI (body mass index- using their height to measure weight) to measure obesity in these subjects. BMI does not indicate a person's exact level of body fat. Besides abdominal fat may be more predictive of sex hormone levels than BMI.   

For now, more work needs be done with a focus to co-relate obesity with sperm quality and fertility, to see where it could be stemmed, as today obesity is becoming a pandemic, and fertility levels may drastically fall.

What is undoubtedly clear is that male fitness and health are linked to a man's fertility, so be it obesity or underweight they both inevitably lead to low sperm counts.

Note: If you are overweight or obese and are facing issues of male infertility please contact your doctor to discuss options.

The dietitians at NutritionVista can help you embark on a weight loss regimen that will provide you not just sustainable weight loss but also a moderate exercise program and balanced nutrition. (Assess your BMI & WHR to get a report)

By Vijayalakshmi Iyengar,

Sr. Dietitian Online,

NutritionVista.com           

Sources:

1.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15482761

2.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_95410.html