Semen parameters and hormonal profile in obese fertile and infertile males.

Objective: To study the changes in semen parameters, gonadotropic and sex hormones, and serum leptin in obese fertile and infertile oligozoospermic men.

Design: Prospective.

Setting: University hospital.

Patient(s): Forty-two obese fertile and 80 obese infertile oligozoospermic men (body mass index [BMI] >30).

Intervention(s): The BMI calculation, semen analysis, and serum FSH, LH, T, E(2), PRL, and leptin estimation.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen and hormonal profiles.

Result(s): Obese oligozoospermic patients had significant increase in mean BMI, serum FSH, LH, E(2), PRL, and leptin compared with obese fertile controls. The BMI had significant positive correlation with abnormal sperm morphology, LH, serum leptin and significant negative correlation with sperm concentration, sperm motility, serum T. Serum leptin demonstrated significant positive correlation with patients' age, abnormal sperm morphology, serum FSH, LH, PRL and significant negative correlation with sperm concentration, sperm motility, and serum T.

Conclusion(s): Serum leptin mediates a link between obesity and male infertility.