Male obesity and semen quality: Any association

Background: Infertility as well as obesity are risng global concern. Whilst there isan established association between female obesity and infertility, a similar link is yetto be proven in men.Objective: To determine the effects of elevated body mass index (BMI) on semenquality among male partners of infertile couples attending an infertility clinic.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 206 men who met theinclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Selected participants were groupedaccording to their BMI (kg/m2): normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and elevated BMI(≥25 kg/m2). The effect of weight on semen quality was assessed based on spermcount, percentage motility, and morphology.Results: The number of participants with normal BMI was 110 (53.4%) while thosewith elevated BMI were 96 (46.6%). Of the participants in elevated BMI group, 52(25.2%) were overweight and 44 (21.4%) were obese. There was no statisticallysignificant difference in the semen quality as well as the pattern of semen parameterabnormalities between males with normal and elevated BMI (overweight or obese)(p=0.813).Conclusion: Elevated BMI did not significantly influence semen quality.

Keywords:

Obesity , Infertility , Semen analysis , Male factor infertility , Body mass index