Abstract:

Since obesity and male subfertility have increased in parallel during the last decades, the hypothesis of an association between these two phenomena has been explored by several researchers. Although there is no consensus apparently obesity impacts men’s reproductive potential by several mechanisms, like alterations on the hypothalamus–pituitary–testicular axis, modifications of spermatogenesis and semen quality and/or impairment of men’s sexual health. This review intends to summarize the underlying bases of such alterations and propose new ones, without miscalculating their biological significance. Obesity is not rigorously related to subfertility; in addition, the existence of a genetic predisposition to obesity-linked sterility is currently under investigation. Nonetheless, the impact of obesity on male reproductive potential must be fully elucidated since the prevalence of obesity is increasing and consequently, the number of obese men with reduced fertility will also rise.

Author affiliation: Martini, Ana Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiologia Humana y Fisica Biomedica. Catedra de Fisiologia Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Molina, Rosa Isabel. Laboratorio de Andrología y Reproducción; Argentina

Author affiliation: Tissera, Andrea. Laboratorio de Andrología y Reproducción; Argentina

Author affiliation: Ruiz, Ruben Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiologia Humana y Fisica Biomedica. Catedra de Fisiologia Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fiol de Cuneo, Marta. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiologia Humana y Fisica Biomedica. Catedra de Fisiologia Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina