Being overweight in childhood can lead to infertility in adulthood.
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Obesity and overweight in childhood threaten infertility in adulthood. This conclusion was made by the authors of an article published in the European Journal of Endocrinology.
Scientists from Germany appreciated infertility in more than 20,000 men who applied to the reproductive health center to be cured of the disease. In 70 percent, the reason for the decrease in the number of spermatozoa was never found out.
However, in parallel with reproductive problems in modern men, endocrinologists note a trend towards a wider spread of childhood obesity. According to recent estimates WHO, 39 million children worldwide are obese. Experts estimate that about 60% of today’s children will grow into obese adults by the age of 35.
Italian research also revealed hypotrophy (underdevelopment) of the testicles in almost a quarter of young men aged 18-19 years. This means that their ability to become fathers in the future is already being questioned.
Researchers at the University of Catania in Sicily compared data on testicular volume, age, body mass index and insulin resistance in 268 children and adolescents. It turned out that in boys of a normal physique, the volume of the testicles was 1.5 times larger compared to those who were overweight or obese. And since smaller testicles in childhood are associated with lower sperm production in adult males, weight loss, normal physical activity and a healthy diet for boys will help them avoid infertility later in life, doctors conclude.
– We found that being overweight or obese was associated with smaller testicular volume at puberty. In addition, obesity-related comorbidities such as hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance have been found to affect testicular volume before and after puberty. Therefore, we suggest that better weight control in childhood may represent a preventive strategy to maintain testicular function later in life, says lead researcher Rossella Cannarella, MD, from the University of Catania in Italy.
The prevalence of male infertility is on the rise. Over the past 40 years, the average sperm count in men worldwide has halved (!) For no apparent reason, says the expert.
Previously site KP.RU already wrote that the problem of infertility is also relevant for Russia. Among the main causes of male infertility, the doctor – andrologist, doctor of medical sciences, chief researcher of the State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMITs of Endocrinology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia Roman Rozhivanov named rapidly “rejuvenating” obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
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