Analysis of the Functional Aspects of Sperm and Testicular Oxidative Stress in Individuals Undergoing Metabolic...

Metabolic surgery is a recommended treatment for obese patients that results in BMI reduction; however, the observed impact of this therapy on male fertility is inconsistent. This research aimed to study the effects of BMI changes after metabolic surgery on seminal analysis, sex hormonal profile, sperm functional integrity, and the seminal plasma lipid peroxidation levels.

A prospective study was performed in 15 patients for whom metabolic surgery was recommended. The patients were evaluated by the techniques proposed in this study before and after the surgical procedure for 12 months. In each analysis, the male sex hormonal profile, semen analysis, sperm functional integrity, and seminal lipid peroxidation levels were assessed.

The surgery resulted in BMI reduction and improvement in seminal characteristics and male sex hormone profile. The semen analysis showed increases in volume, sperm progressive motility, and in sperm morphology and a decrease in immotile sperms. Sperm mitochondrial activity and sperm DNA integrity were improved, and the levels of seminal lipid peroxidation were decreased. The hormonal profile showed lower levels of estradiol and highest levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and testosterone.

BMI changes resulting from this treatment and its metabolic consequences can be associated with changes in the male fertile potential, leading to an improvement in the seminal quality, male sex hormone profile, sperm functional aspects, and levels of seminal lipid peroxidation, thus decreasing the testicular oxidative stress.