Is overweight a risk factor for reduced semen quality and altered serum sex hormone profile?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether overweight and obesity are related to changes in serum sex hormone concentrations and semen quality.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Data from five previous population-based environmental studies of semen quality were combined into one database at a university hospital in Denmark.


METHODS
In total, 2,139 men provided data to the database.


METHODS
Data on semen and blood samples and information on lifestyle and reproductive factors, including body mass index (BMI), were collected.


METHODS
Semen quality (volume, concentration, total sperm count, and motility) and serum concentration of sex hormones.


RESULTS
The T and inhibin B serum concentrations were 25%-32% lower in obese men in comparison with normal-weight men, whereas the E(2) concentration was 6% higher in obese men. Overweight men (BMI, 25.1-30.0 kg/m(2)) had a slightly lower adjusted sperm concentration and total sperm count than did men with a normal BMI (20.0-25.0 kg/m(2)), but no reduction in sperm count was observed among the obese men.


CONCLUSIONS
These results corroborate earlier findings that overweight and obese men have a markedly changed sex hormone profile in serum, whereas reduction of semen quality, if any, was marginal and below the detection limit of this large study.
Aggerholm
Anette S
AS
Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. ansag@as.aaa.dk
Thulstrup
Ane Marie
AM
Toft
Gunnar
G
Ramlau-Hansen
Cecilia H
CH
Bonde
Jens Peter
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology*; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones