Overweight boys are almost 2 times more likely to become infertile men, finds study

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Findings of the study

The researchers found that boys with normal weight had 1.5-times higher testicular volume compared to those who were overweight or obese in the peri-pubertal age group.

Children and adolescents in the study with normal insulin levels had 1.5-2 times higher testicular volume compared to those with hyperinsulinemia, a condition often associated with type 2 diabetes in which patients have higher insulin levels in their blood.

Thus, those who were overweight or obese, with hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance showed lower testicular volume than their healthy peers.

Since lower testicular volume predicts poorer sperm production in adulthood, the researchers believe that weight loss could help patients avoid infertility later in life.

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Inference of the study

“Although the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, the impact of obesity and associated metabolic disorders on testicular growth is not well known,” said Dr Rossella Cannarella, one of the authors of the paper said in a statement.

“In this study, we found that being overweight or obese was associated with a lower peri-pubertal testicular volume. In addition, obesity-related comorbidities, such as hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, have been found to influence testicular volume in pre and post-puberty. Therefore, we speculate that more careful control of body weight in childhood could represent a prevention strategy for maintaining testicular function later in life,” said Dr Cannarella.

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Infertility, a serious cause of concern

Infertility weighs on both the psychological health and the economic and social lives of people of childbearing age. Infertility affected 48 million couples in 2010.

Although observers look at infertility as a “woman’s issue”, researchers believe that nearly half the cases of couple infertility are male infertility. However, in most cases, the reason for male infertility remains unclear.

According to a German study that evaluated infertility in over 20,000 male patients referred to a fertility centre, no diagnosis could be made for about 70 percent of them.

A significant percentage of childless male patients have no explanation for their infertility. Research also indicates a trend toward decreasing sperm concentration and total sperm count over the past forty years.

In parallel with the decline in sperm count, the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased worldwide from 32 to 42 million. Observers estimate that about 60% of children today will be obese by the age of 35.

Various environmental conditions (including exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals) and personal habits (such as a sedentary lifestyle or eating disorders) have changed dramatically over the past few decades.

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