Based on scientific research, male infertility is influenced by childhood obesity. Young boys who struggle with weight issues have an increased probability of experiencing diminished sperm count later in life, which may pose challenges for couples trying to conceive.
Overweight men during puberty have low testicular volume
Dr Rossella Cannarella from Catania University in Sicily, a co-author of the study, stated that their study revealed a correlation between being overweight or obese and reduced testicular volume during puberty.
In a study involving 268 children and adolescents, researchers collected information on testicular volume, age, body mass index (BMI), and insulin resistance. The findings revealed that boys with average weight during puberty had testicular volumes that were 50 per cent greater than their overweight or obese peers. Furthermore, participants with normal insulin levels exhibited testicular volumes that were twice as high as those with elevated insulin levels, which is associated with an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
According to Dr Cannarella, obese or overweight individuals and those with insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia have lower testicular volume compared to their healthy counterparts. Controlling body weight during childhood may be a preventive measure to maintain testicular function in the future.
Research indicates a decline in sperm concentration and total sperm count over the past 40 years, which coincides with the increasing rates of childhood obesity worldwide. Infertility impacts the economic status, psychological health, and social lives of childbearing-age individuals, with male infertility contributing to as many cases as female infertility, yet the cause of male infertility remains largely unknown.
Metabolic disorders affect metabolic processes
Metabolic disorders such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria (PKU), lysosomal storage disorders, and glycogen storage diseases are disruptions in the body’s normal metabolic processes caused by various factors. Diabetes is the most common disorder where the body can’t properly use or produce insulin. On the other hand, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Obesity can lead to metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance.
