title: In subfertile couple, abdominal fat loss in men is associated with improvement of sperm quality and pregnancy: a case-series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of overweight among men of reproductive-age may affect fertility. Abdominal fat, more than body mass index, is an indicator of higher metabolic risk, which seems to be involved in decreasing sperm quality. This study aims to assess the relationship between abdominal fat and sperm DNA fragmentation and the effect of abdominal fat loss, among 6 men in subfertile couples.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sperm DNA fragmentation, abdominal fat and metabolic and hormonal profiles were measured in the 6 men before and after dietary advices. Seminal oxidative stress and antioxidant markers were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After several months of a lifestyle program, all 6 men lost abdominal fat (patient 1: loss of 3 points of abdominal fat, patient 2: loss of 3 points, patient 3: loss of 2 points, patient 4: loss of 1 point, patient 5: loss of 4 points and patient 6: loss of 13 points). At the same time, their rate of sperm DNA fragmentation decreased: 9.5% vs 31%, 24% vs 43%, 18% vs 47%, 26.3% vs 66%, 25.4% vs 35% and 1.7% vs 25%. Also, an improvement in both metabolic (significant decrease in triglycerides and total cholesterol; p = 0.0139) and hormonal (significant increase in testosterone/oestradiol ratio; p = 0.0139) blood profiles was observed after following the lifestyle program. In seminal plasma, the amount of SOD2 has significantly increased (p = 0.0139) while in parallel carbonylated proteins have decreased. Furthermore, all spouses got pregnant. All pregnancies were brought to term.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows specifically that sperm DNA fragmentation among men in subfertile couples could be affected by abdominal fat, but improvement of lifestyle factor may correct this alteration. The effect of specific abdominal fat loss on sperm quality needs further investigation. The reduction of oxidative stress may be a contributing factor.
authors: Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Cytogénétique-CECOS, Hôpital Jean Verdier (AP-HP), Bondy, France ; Unité de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle, INSERM U557, INRA, CNAM, Université Paris 13, CRNH IdF, Bobigny, France.
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Faure
authors: Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Cytogénétique-CECOS, Hôpital Jean Verdier (AP-HP), Bondy, France ; Unité de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle, INSERM U557, INRA, CNAM, Université Paris 13, CRNH IdF, Bobigny, France ; INRA, UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy en Josas, France.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Dupont
authors: Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire du Vieillissement, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris Cedex 05, France.
authors: Martin A
authors: MA
authors: Baraibar
authors: Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire du Vieillissement, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Paris Cedex 05, France.
authors: Romain
authors: R
authors: Ladouce
authors: Unité de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle, INSERM U557, INRA, CNAM, Université Paris 13, CRNH IdF, Bobigny, France ; Service de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris XIII, Bondy, France.
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Cedrin-Durnerin
authors: Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpital Cochin, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors: Jean Philippe
authors: JP
authors: Wolf
authors: Service d'Histologie-Embryologie-Cytogénétique-CECOS, Hôpital Jean Verdier (AP-HP), Bondy, France ; Unité de Recherche en Epidémiologie Nutritionnelle, INSERM U557, INRA, CNAM, Université Paris 13, CRNH IdF, Bobigny, France.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Lévy
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007246:Infertility / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D055432:Metabolomics; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D006728:Hormones