Obesity impairs male fertility through long-term effects on spermatogenesis
Yan-Fei Jia,
Qian Feng,
Zheng-Yan Ge,
Ying Guo,
Fang Zhou,
Kai-Shu Zhang,
Xiao-Wei Wang,
Wen-Hong Lu,
Xiao-Wei Liang,
Yi-Qun Gu
Affiliations
Yan-Fei Jia
Lanzhou University Second Hospital
Qian Feng
Lanzhou University Second Hospital
Zheng-Yan Ge
Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Ying Guo
Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College
Fang Zhou
Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College
Kai-Shu Zhang
Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College
Xiao-Wei Wang
National Health and Family Planning Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health, Department of Male Clinical Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning
Wen-Hong Lu
National Health and Family Planning Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health, Department of Male Clinical Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning
Xiao-Wei Liang
National Health and Family Planning Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Health, Department of Male Clinical Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning
Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect and possible underlying mechanisms of high-fat diet-induced obesity on spermatogenesis in male rats. Methods A total of 45 male rats were randomly divided into control (n = 15, normal diet) and obesity groups (n = 30, high-fat diet) and were fed for 16 weeks. Body weight and organ indexes were determined after sacrifice. Indicators of reproductive function, including sperm count, sperm motility, apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, and oxidative stress levels, were measured. Serum metabolic parameters and reproductive hormones were also assayed. Results Compared with the control group, epididymal sperm motility in the obese rats was significantly decreased (P 0.05). Results Nutritional obesity can damage spermatogenesis in male rats due to long-term effects on spermatogenesis.
