Young men who are obese may have a lower sperm count as compared to normal-weight young men.
A number of recent studies have found that compared with leaner men, obese men tend to have lower sperm counts, fewer rapidly mobile sperms and fewer progressively motile sperms. Older men tend to have lower sperm quality than younger men, and they also tend to have more body fat. To reveal the association between obesity and sperm count, researchers followed 2157 men from Germany aged 17 67 years with no known infertility problems. All the participants underwent semen analysis.
It was found that obese men between the ages of 20 and 30 years generally had a lower sperm count than normal-weight men in the same age group. High levels of body fat are associated with changes in the collection of proteins that allow sperm to survive and function.
The study adds to the evidence that obesity is linked to poor quality sperm. It suggests that body fat, and abdominal fat in particular, is more closely related to sex-hormone levels than BMI.
A number of recent studies have found that compared with leaner men, obese men tend to have lower sperm counts, fewer rapidly mobile sperms and fewer progressively motile sperms. Older men tend to have lower sperm quality than younger men, and they also tend to have more body fat. To reveal the association between obesity and sperm count, researchers followed 2157 men from Germany aged 17 67 years with no known infertility problems. All the participants underwent semen analysis.
It was found that obese men between the ages of 20 and 30 years generally had a lower sperm count than normal-weight men in the same age group. High levels of body fat are associated with changes in the collection of proteins that allow sperm to survive and function.
The study adds to the evidence that obesity is linked to poor quality sperm. It suggests that body fat, and abdominal fat in particular, is more closely related to sex-hormone levels than BMI.