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BMC Urology
Published in: BMC Urology 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Obesity impairs male fertility through long-term effects on spermatogenesis

Authors: 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

Published in: BMC Urology | Issue 1/2018

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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 < 0.01). Morphological analysis of the obesity group showed vacuolar changes in seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic cell dysfunction, and increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissue (P < 0.05). The calculated free testosterone (cFT) concentration in serum was decreased (P < 0.05), whereas the serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) level was significantly increased (P < 0.01). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration decreased and the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration increased in testis tissues; however, neither changes were statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Results

Nutritional obesity can damage spermatogenesis in male rats due to long-term effects on spermatogenesis.
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Metadata
Title
Obesity impairs male fertility through long-term effects on spermatogenesis
Authors
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
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Urology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2490
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-018-0360-5

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