Obesity and male infertility

Czech version

Authors: J. Heráček ^1,2; V. Sobotka ^1,2; M. Urban ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, 3. lékařská fakulta, Urologická klinika, přednosta doc. MUDr. R. Grill, Ph. D. ¹; Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady, Urologická klinika, Praha, přednosta doc. MUDr. R. Grill, Ph. D. ²
Published in: Ceska Gynekol 2012; 77(5): 450-456

Overview

The authors present a review on the effects of obesity on male fertility. Current scientific findings suggest an elevated risk of infertility among couples in which the male partner is obese. In obese men can be found reduced serum levels of androgens and SHBG and increased estrogen levels without compensatory increase in FSH. Among other impacts of male obesity that may contribute to increased risk of infertility are altered retention and metabolism of environmental toxins, lifestyle, sexual dysfunction, genetic factors, excessive secretion of hormones derived from adipose tissue, oxidative stress, sperm specific proteomic changes or elevated levels of cytokines. The increasing prevalence of obesity calls for greater clinical awareness of its impact on male fertility.

Key words:
obesity, male infertility, reproductive hormones, sperm parameters.

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