Effect of weight loss on semen quality and reproductive hormones in obese patients

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of weight loss on sperm quality and reproductive hormones in obese patients.

MethodsThirty obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 28.2-45.37 kg/m² underwent a 14 weeks weight loss plan.Semen and blood samples from patients were tested before and after weight loss.Routine sperm indicators semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility sperm rate (PR), total sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology rate were detected using the computer assisted sperm analysis system.Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was analyzed using sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA).Relevant hormone indicators in the blood testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were measured using a Roche sex hormone analyzer.

ResultsBefore weight loss, as the patient's BMI increased, the values of sperm concentration, total sperm count, AMH, and T decreased (P<0.01), while the values of sperm DFI and E2 increased (P<0.01).After weight loss, the sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility sperm rate, total sperm motility, AMH and T increased compared to before weight loss (P<0.05 to P<0.01).semen volume and sperm DFI decreased compared to before weight loss (P<0.05 and P<0.01), FSH, LH, and E2 showed no statistically significant differences compared to before weight loss (P>0.05).

ConclusionsObesity is related to poor semen quality and changes in reproductive hormone levels.Weight loss may lead to an improvement in sperm quality.