One More Downside To Obesity: Bad Sperm

Study Finds That Underweight Men Are Also Likely To Have Fertility Problems

(AP)  Too many fatty foods are dangerous not only to men's waistlines, but to their sperm production.

In research presented Wednesday at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, scientists found that obese men have worse sperm than normal-weight men.

"There is a very long list of health hazards from being overweight," said Ghiyath Shayeb, the study's lead researcher at the University of Aberdeen. "Now we can add poor semen quality to the list."

But experts aren't sure if that necessarily means obese men face major difficulties having children.

"If you have a man who isn't fantastically fertile with a normal partner who is fertile, her fertility will compensate," said Dr. William Ledger, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Britain's University of Sheffield, who was unconnected to the study.

But if both partners are heavy, Ledger said that could be a problem, since obesity is known to decrease women's fertility.

Shayeb and colleagues analyzed the sperm samples of more than 5,000 men in Scotland, and divided the men into groups according to their Body Mass Index. Men who had an optimal BMI (20 to 25) had higher levels of normal sperm than those who were overweight or obese.

Fat men had a 60 percent higher chance of having a low volume of semen, according to Shayeb's research. They also had a 40 percent higher chance of having some sperm abnormalities.

Shayeb and colleagues found that underweight men were just as likely to have the same problems as obese men. "But there were not many underweight men in Scotland," he noted.

The researchers adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that could have affected men's sperm count, like smoking, alcohol intake, history of drug abuse, and age.

"Male fitness and health are clearly linked to a man's fertility," said Neil McClure, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Queen's University in Belfast.

There are several theories about why obese men might have bad sperm. Because fat tissue influences the metabolism of sex hormones, scientists think it might also disrupt sperm production.

It could also be a temperature problem. Sperm is best produced at a temperature two degrees cooler than normal body temperature. But because obese men have more fat, Shayeb said their bodies might be overheated.

Another study presented at the conference concluded that diabetes in men damages their sperm and is linked to male infertility.

Con Mallidis and colleagues at Queen's University in Belfast examined semen samples from nearly 40 men who were being treated for diabetes, but were not overweight. They found significant DNA damage linked to the excess sugar in the body from diabetes.

They found that diabetic men had twice the rate of DNA damage in their sperm as men without diabetes.

[brainteaser2]

mike071067- There are a number of conditions that should have been eliminated from society by reproductive genetics. However, due to assisted reproductive technology the diseases continue on through generations. The presumed theory is that medical science will cure those conditions. We know however that is not happening.

[navyjimfl]

puff,puff pass lets go to k.f.c and eat our selves into the welfare line at the hospital. Posted by tootall10142

Oh man reminds me of an old cartoon of a hugely fat couple sitting on a porch eating fried chicken....the husband wishes to god the KFC had never opened next door.....ever see how many people flock to the KFC all you can eat buffet?

[sociald63]

what position will his wife/girlfriend be in ?? cant be missionary or the lady get flattened, right ::

[megamanx1-2009]

yay!

[anecdote1]

Tonight on Nightline: "When Sperm Go Bad."

[bladan58z]

Men who suffer from obesity should exercise. Walking and lifting steel weights are two good methods for physical development. Healthy men produce better sperm.

[nssherlock1]

Uh oh, sperm aerobics can be far away! SWIM! SWIM!!

[tootall10142]

This good news if obesity is genetic this will hopefullt stop them from breeding.kfc poisons more people through thier mind than any other existing threat to U.S society. puff,puff pass lets go to k.f.c and eat our selves into the welfare line at the hospital.

[rational_1]

Fat overheated men with bad sperm having s ex? Thanks for the lovely thoughts to enjoy my morning coffee by.