Testicular pathology is not altered in obese infertile men who presentsemen analyses, sperm functional tests, electron microscopy and testis histology in obese infertile patients

Introduction: It is estimated that one-third of adult men around the world are obese and one-third are overweight, routinely diagnosed by body mass index (BMI). There is a strong relationship between obesity and male infertility; however, its physiological mechanisms are not well elucidated. Aims: To evaluate the effect of obesity (BMI and body fat percentage evaluation) in seminal and functional parameters, testicular histology and hormonal profile. Methods: We included data from 83 medical records of infertile patients aged 21 to 45 y.o., classified according to body fat percentage (BFP) according to bioimpedance values [eutrophic.19% (n=27), high>19%(n=56)] and BMI [eutrophic (n=34; 18.519% had a reduction in progressive motility and reduced sperm maturation by CK activity (p<0.05). We did not observe significant alterations in the hormonal profile, testis histology and maturation of sperm chromatin in patients with excess of fat tissue. Conclusion: Excessive body fat has a negative effect on the final steps of spermatogenesis, demonstrated by reduced total progressive motility, increased forms of immature sperm and high anti-sperm antibodies.