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Epidemiology and Population Health

Association between body mass index and semen quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Obesity volume 48, pages 1383–1401 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

The continuous decline of human semen quality during the past decades has drawn much concern globally. Previous studies have suggested a link between abnormal BMI and semen quality decline, but the results remain inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and semen quality. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for eligible studies from inception to April 17, 2022. We considered men with BMI < 25.0 kg/m2 as the reference and calculated the pooled weighted mean difference of men with overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2), class I obesity (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2), and class II/III obesity (BMI ≥ 35.0 kg/m2). A total of 5070 articles were identified, of which 50 studies were included (71,337 subjects). Compared with men with BMI < 25.0 kg/m2, men with obesity had an average reduction of 0.24 ml in semen volume, 19.56 × 106 in total sperm number, 2.21% in total motility, 5.95% in progressive motility, and 1.08% in normal forms, respectively, while men with overweight had an average reduction of 0.08 ml in semen volume and 2.91% in progressive motility, respectively. The reduction of semen quality was more pronounced among men with obesity than that among men with overweight. Moreover, significant reductions in semen quality were identified in men with different classes of obesity, which were more pronounced in men with class II/III obesity than that in men with class I obesity. Across men from the general population, infertile or subfertile men, and suspiciously subfertile men, we identified significant semen quality reductions in men with obesity/overweight. In conclusion, obesity and overweight were significantly associated with semen quality reductions, suggesting that maintaining normal weight may help prevent semen quality decline.

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Fig. 1: Flow diagram for identifying studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis on BMI and semen quality.
Fig. 2: Forest plots of weighted mean difference in semen quality for men with obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) versus men with BMI <25.0 kg/m2.

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Data available on request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Mr Zhengyu Yang and Ms Yaqi Wang who assisted in the data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

    Yingxin Li, Yi Lin, Changkui Ou, Ruijun Xu, Tingting Liu, Zihua Zhong, Likun Liu, Yi Zheng, Sihan Hou & Yuewei Liu

  2. Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

    Ziquan Lv

  3. Department of Environment and Health, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

    Suli Huang

  4. Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Centre of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

    Yong-Gang Duan

  5. NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Guangdong Provincial Reproductive Science Institute, Guangdong Provincial Fertility Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

    Qiling Wang & Xinzong Zhang

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  1. Yingxin Li
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Contributions

Yingxin Li was responsible for study concept and design, the acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, statistical analysis, and drafting and revision of the manuscript. Yi Lin and Changkui Ou were responsible for the acquisition of data. Ruijun Xu, Tingting Liu, Zihua Zhong, Likun Liu, Yi Zheng, Sihan Hou, Ziquan Lv, Suli Huang, Yong-Gang Duan, Qiling Wang, and Xinzong Zhang were responsible for the revision of the manuscript. Yuewei Liu was responsible for study concept and design, the revision of the manuscript, supervision, and administrative, technical, or material support.

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Correspondence to Yuewei Liu.

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Li, Y., Lin, Y., Ou, C. et al. Association between body mass index and semen quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Obes 48, 1383–1401 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-024-01580-w

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