Male infertility and obesity

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Male Infertility Research
• Obesity Medicine

Background:

• Rising global obesity rates present a significant public health concern.
• Obesity is increasingly recognized for its detrimental effects on male reproductive function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted mechanisms by which obesity impairs male reproduction.
• To highlight novel research areas and potential management strategies for obesity-related male infertility.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on obesity and male reproductive health.
• Analysis of mechanisms including metabolic, hormonal, and epigenetic factors.

Main Results:

• Obesity adversely affects male fertility through metabolic syndrome, lipotoxicity, and sexual dysfunction.
• Hormonal and adipokine alterations, alongside epigenetic changes, contribute to impaired reproductive capacity.
• Reactive oxygen species and the age of obesity onset are identified as critical factors in male infertility.

Conclusions:

• Obesity-induced male reproductive dysfunction is driven by complex, interconnected pathways.
• New therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms hold promise for improving male reproductive health across the lifespan.