New research from the University of Adelaide suggests that how men lose weight could significantly impact their fertility. The study found that adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors may be more beneficial for improving fertility than weight loss alone. This revelation comes amidst growing concerns about obesity and fertility rates worldwide.
Researchers conducted an extensive analysis of 32 global studies involving men aged 18 to 50 with obesity. These men were undergoing various weight loss interventions, including bariatric surgery, weight loss medications, and diet and exercise programs. The findings indicate that while obesity is a modifiable cause of male infertility, the method of weight loss plays a crucial role in fertility outcomes.
Understanding the Impact of Weight Loss Methods
Dr. Andrew Peel, the first author from the University of Adelaide’s Freemasons Centre for Men’s Health and Wellbeing and Robinson Research Institute, highlighted the significance of the study. “Obesity is a modifiable cause of male infertility. Preconception guidelines often talk about maintaining a healthy weight, but there is very little information available on which weight loss method is best for men for infertility,” he stated.
The study was the first comprehensive analysis to examine the reproductive effects of multiple obesity interventions on sperm in men. It also explored whether the amount of weight lost correlated with changes in sperm parameters. The available data primarily examined sperm motility, concentration, and morphology. Surprisingly, the absolute degree of weight loss did not directly correlate with changes in these sperm parameters.
Comparing Surgical and Lifestyle Interventions
The review showed that men who underwent bariatric surgery experienced substantial weight loss quickly but did not see notable positive changes in sperm parameters such as volume, concentration, motility, and DNA damage. Furthermore, there was evidence suggesting that surgery could have short-term detrimental effects on reproduction, potentially due to nutritional deficiencies or increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals as a side-effect of rapid weight loss.
In contrast, the few studies examining lifestyle interventions that focused on improving diet and exercise resulted in improvements to sperm quality, even with modest weight loss. “Lifestyle changes are associated with modest improvements in sperm motility and morphology, even though the amount of weight lost was much smaller than surgical options,” Dr. Peel explained. This indicates that for men with obesity, reproductive success may be more dependent on optimizing nutrition and exercise rather than substantial weight loss alone.
The Role of Weight Loss Medications
The data on weight loss medications was limited and primarily related to the use of Metformin and Liraglutide. Dr. Nicole McPherson, a senior author from the University of Adelaide’s Robinson Research Institute, emphasized the need for further research. “There is an urgent need for research on newer weight loss drugs like Ozempic to see what impact they have on male fertility. This is even more pressing given the rising popularity of these medications,” she noted.
Up to 30 percent of Australians aged 25-45 years live with obesity. Previous research has shown that infertility rates are approximately 50 percent higher in men with obesity compared to men of a normal weight.
Co-senior author Professor Gary Wittert from the University of Adelaide Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing highlighted the broader implications. “We are not only living at a time when obesity is considered to be an epidemic, but fertility levels are also at record lows. There is a real knowledge gap when it comes to the best approach for men with obesity wanting to improve their fertility,” he said.
Looking Forward: The Need for Further Research
The findings underscore the necessity for more comprehensive research to establish optimal preconception recommendations for men. Dr. McPherson added, “We strongly advocate for more research in this area to establish optimal preconception recommendations for men.”
This development follows a growing body of evidence linking lifestyle factors with reproductive health. As obesity rates continue to rise globally, understanding the best strategies for improving fertility in men with obesity becomes increasingly critical. The study calls for a shift in focus from merely achieving weight loss to adopting healthier lifestyle practices to enhance reproductive outcomes.
