The impact of obesity on seminal fluid in men with infertility

Abstract

Abstract Background Data on the effect of obesity on seminal fluid and men fertility are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of obesity on semen characteristics in infertile men. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on seventy-four infertile men who met inclusion criteria. Semen sample were collected and sperm concentration, progressive motility, total motility and normal sperm morphology were assessed in accordance with WHO 2010 criteria. For each patient weight and height were measure and patients were divided by BMI into normal weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2, n = 30), overweight (BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m2, n = 30) and obese (BMI: ≥30 kg/m2, n = 14). Seminal fluid parameters were compared among the three groups. Results Sperm concentration was lower in obese men but it did not differ significantly from those of normal weight and overweight infertile men (25.71 ± 22.16, 34.33 ± 31.11, 36.07 ± 31.24 and million/ml respectively, P > 0.05). Sperm progressive motility, total motility and normal sperm morphology also were not significantly different among the three groups. Conclusion Our findings suggest that obesity may have no influence on sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology in infertile men.