title: Fatty acid composition of spermatozoa is associated with BMI and with semen quality.
abstract: High body mass index (BMI) is negatively associated with semen quality. In addition, the composition of fatty acids of spermatozoa has been shown to be important for their function. The aim of the study was to examine the association between BMI and the composition of spermatozoa fatty acids in men spanning a broad BMI range. We also analysed the relation between fatty acid composition of spermatozoa and semen characteristics, and the relationship between serum fatty acids and spermatozoa fatty acids. One hundred forty-four men with unknown fertility status were recruited from the general population, from couples with identified female infertility and from morbid obesity centres. Standard semen analysis (WHO) and sperm DNA integrity (DFI) analysis were performed. Fatty acid compositions were assessed by gas chromatography. When adjusted for possible confounders, BMI was negatively associated with levels of sperm docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p < 0.001) and palmitic acid (p < 0.001). The amount of sperm DHA correlated positively with total sperm count (r = 0.482), sperm concentration (r = 0.469), sperm vitality (r = 0.354), progressive sperm motility (r = 0.431) and normal sperm morphology (r = 0.265). A negative association was seen between DHA levels and DNA fragmentation index (r = -0.247). Levels of spermatozoa palmitic acid correlated positively with total sperm count (r = 0.227), while levels of linoleic acid correlated negatively (r = -0.254). When adjusted for possible confounders, only the levels of arachidonic acid showed positive correlation between spermatozoa and serum phospholipids (r = 0.262). Changes in the fatty acid composition of spermatozoa could be one of the mechanisms underlying the negative association between BMI and semen quality. The relationship between fatty acids of spermatozoa and serum phospholipids was minor, which indicates that BMI affects fatty acid composition of spermatozoa through regulation of fatty acid metabolism in the testis. The role of dietary intake of fatty acids on the spermatozoa fatty acid composition remains to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Rønning
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Herning
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Bekken
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Witczak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000502:physiology; D004249:DNA Damage; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids
keywords: body mass index; fatty acids; gas chromatography; obesity; semen quality; serum; spermatozoa