2023-05-15 13:00:00
- Overweight boys are more at risk of infertility
- Normal weight boys have 1.5 times more testicle volume
- Obesity continues to increase worldwide, so the link between a healthy childhood weight and testicular function is important.
From one study, published in the European Journal of Endocrinology, found that overweight boys have a higher risk of infertility in adulthood due to lower testicular volume. The study, which was conducted at the University of Catania, involved 268 children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years.
The findings show that normal-weight boys have 1.5 times more testicular volume than their overweight or obese peers. In addition, those with normal insulin levels have 1.5-2 times more testicular volume than those with hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance. Lower testicular volume is associated with poorer sperm production in adulthood, suggesting that weight loss may help prevent infertility later in life. As childhood obesity continues to rise worldwide, the study points to the importance of maintaining a healthy weight during childhood to preserve testicular function in adulthood.
The link between obesity and infertility
Worldwide, millions of couples suffer from infertility and about fifty percent of the cases are male infertility. Despite this, the reasons for male infertility often remain unclear. A German study of more than 20,000 male patients referred to a fertility center found that about 70 percent of them could not be diagnosed. At the same time, research points to a trend of declining sperm concentration and total sperm count over the past 40 years.
At the same time, the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased worldwide: it is estimated that sixty percent of children will be obese by the age of 35. Italian studies have also shown testicular hypotrophy in nearly a quarter of young men aged 18-19, jeopardizing their future fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders on testicular growth in children, a subject about which not much is known.
Exploring the relationship between testicular volume and insulin resistance
Researchers from the University of Catania conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study in children and adolescents referred to the Department of Pediatric Endocrinology for body weight monitoring. They collected data on testicular volume, age, body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance in the participants. The findings showed that overweight or obese boys with hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance had lower testicular volume than their healthy peers.
Dr. Alex Robles, a fertility expert at Columbia University Fertility Center, stated that “testicular volume is directly related to sperm profile and is a good predictor of hormonal function,” adding that “infertile men have a smaller testicular volume on average than fertile men”. The results of the study suggest that controlling body weight during childhood could help maintain testicular function later in life and possibly prevent infertility.
Limitations and future research
While the study highlights the link between obesity, metabolism and testicular volume, it has some limitations. Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, a professor of public health at New Mexico State University, pointed out that the study population was small and cross-sectional. In addition, the study did not establish a causal relationship between testicle size, obesity and infertility risk.
Dr. Robles also stressed that “obesity can disrupt the hormones that help the testicles produce testosterone. Low testosterone is linked to reduced sperm production and decreased sperm quality.” More research is needed to confirm these results and whether weight loss is an effective treatment option for preventing infertility. Early age interventions can address obesity and related health problems, including reproductive health.
Weight loss and hormonal health
Previous research has shown that weight loss can improve the hormonal health of obese men by restoring natural testosterone levels, increasing testicular volume and improving sperm production. This suggests that maintaining a healthy weight during childhood and adolescence may be a crucial prevention strategy for the maintenance of testicular function and fertility in adulthood. As childhood obesity continues to increase, understanding the effect of obesity on testicular growth and fertility is essential to inform public health policy and early interventions.
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