Association between obesity and alteration of sperm DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity

• Published in: BJU international 2012-09, Vol.110 (6), p.863-867
• Main Authors: Fariello, Roberta M., Pariz, Juliana R., Spaine, Deborah M., Cedenho, Agnaldo P., Bertolla, Ricardo P., Fraietta, Renato
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Biological and medical sciences; Body mass index; Body weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cytology; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA damage; DNA Fragmentation; Humans; Infertility; Leukocytes (neutrophilic); Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Mitochondria; Mitochondria - metabolism; Mitochondrial DNA; Motility; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Obesity; Obesity - genetics; Obesity - metabolism; Semen; Semen Analysis; Sperm; Spermatozoa
• ISSN: 1464-4096; 1464-410X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10813.x

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort) Level of Evidence 3a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? The relationship between high levels of BMI and changes in altered standard semen analysis parameters are described in the literature. However, the functional characteristics of the sperm are essential to complete the evaluation of male infertility. Thus, this study provides important information about the functionality of the sperm of men with different levels of BMI. OBJECTIVE •  To assess the effect of obesity on semen analysis, sperm mitochondrial activity and DNA fragmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS •  A transversal study of 305 male patients, presenting for clinical evaluation, was carried out. The patients were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) as follows: eutrophic (BMI < 25 kg/m2, n= 82), overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and