AUTHOR=Wang Shuxian , Wu Baorui , Wang Changming , Ke Zongpan , Xiang Ping , Hu Xuechun , Xiao Jun 

TITLE=Influence of body mass index and waist–hip ratio on male semen parameters in infertile men in the real world: a retrospective study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1148715

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2023.1148715

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>It is suggested that body mass index (BMI) can affect male semen quality; however, the results remain controversial. In addition, most studies have focused on the effect of obesity on semen quality. Evidence on the relationship of underweight or waist-hip ratio (WHR) with semen quality is rare. This study aimed to assess the association of BMI and WHR with semen quality.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Data, including BMI and WHR, was collected from 715.00 men who underwent a fertility evaluation. BMI (kg/m<sup>2</sup>) was categorized as &lt;18.50 (underweight), 18.50–24.90 (normal), 25.00–27.90 (overweight), and ≥28.00 (obese) kg/m<sup>2</sup> for analysis. WHR was categorized as &lt;0.81 (normal) and ≥0.81 (high). Semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and total motile sperm count were detected by experienced clinical technicians.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Spearman’s correlation showed that BMI was weakly associated with sperm progressive motility (r = 0.076, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), while WHR showed no relationship with semen parameters. The azoospermia rate was significantly higher (33.33% vs. 2.10%, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001) and the sperm concentration was lower (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) in the underweight group. The nonlinear correlation analysis showed that BMI was negatively associated with sperm concentration while BMI was more than 22.40 kg/m<sup>2</sup> (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05), while WHR was negatively related to sperm progressive motility within 0.82 to 0.89 (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic analysis showed that follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) was an independent risk factor for normal sperm concentration (odds ratio [OR]: 0.791, <italic>P</italic> = 0.001) and morphology (OR: 0.821, <italic>P</italic> = 0.002), BMI was an independent risk factor for normal sperm progressive motility, and testosterone was an independent risk factor for sperm morphology (OR: 0.908, <italic>P</italic> = 0.023).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>BMI and WHR were significantly associated with semen parameters, while BMI was an independent risk factor for normal sperm progressive motility. Reproductive hormones, including FSH and testosterone, had a significant influence on sperm concentration and sperm morphology.</p></sec>