Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bariatric Surgery Does not Interfere With Sperm Quality—A Preliminary Long-Term Study

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Reproductive Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Positive impact of weight loss on sexual function and hormones has been demonstrated, and male fertility in this scenario is to be better defined. We evaluated the impact of lifestyle modifications and gastric bypass on sperm quality.

Methods

We prospectively studied 20 morbidly obese men during 24 months, randomized for intervention: lifestyle modifications (exercise and diet) for 4 months and subsequently gastric bypass (n = 10); and control: follow-up (n = 10). All patients underwent International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire, serum estradiol, prolactin (PRL), luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones (LH and FSH), free and total testosterones (FT and TT) and semen analysis at baseline (time 0), surgery 4 months later baseline (time 1) and final evaluation 24 months (time 2).

Results

Intervention group presented significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) at times 1 and 2, compared to control. There were no significant differences among sperm parameters between groups at times 0, 1, and 2 and among times 0, 1, and 2 in each group. Increases in IIEF-5 score (P = .0469), TT (P = .0349), and FSH (P = .0025) and reduction in PRL (P < .0001) were observed in the intervention group from times 0 to 2 and 1 to 2. Comparing groups at time 2, IIEF-5, TT, and FT increased significantly in the intervention group (P = .0224, P = .0043, and P = .0149, respectively).

Conclusions

Surgery-induced massive weight loss does not interfere with sperm quality, while it increased the quality of sexual function, TT, FT and FSH and reduced PRL. Lifestyle modifications impacted merely the BMI. New studies are warranted, mostly considering birth rate as primary end point and including infertile men.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Santos LM, Oliveira IV, Peters LR, Conde WL. Trends in morbid obesity and in bariatric surgeries covered by the Brazilian public health system. Obes Surg. 2010;20(7):943–948.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Pauli EM, Legro RS, Demers LM, Kunselman AR, Dodson WC, Lee PA. Diminished paternity and gonadal function with increasing obesity in men. Fertil Steril. 2008;90(2):346–351.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Nguyen RH, Wilcox AJ, Skjaerven R, Baird DD. Men’s body mass index and infertility. Hum Reprod. 2007;22(9):2488–2493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. MacDonald AA, Herbison GP, Showell M, Farquhar CM. The impact of body mass index on semen parameters and reproductive hormones in human males: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2010;16(3):293–311.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Meachem SJ, Nieschlag E, Simoni M. Inhibin B in male reproduction: pathophysiology and clinical relevance. Eur J Endocrinol. 2001;145(5):561–571.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Fernstrom JD, Courcoulas AP, Houck PR, Fernstrom MH. Long-term changes in blood pressure in extremely obese patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Arch Surg. 2006;141(3): 276–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Adams TD, Gress RE, Smith SC, et al. Long-term mortality after gastric bypass surgery. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(8):753–761.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Buchwald H. Consensus conference statement bariatric surgery for morbid obesity: health implications for patients, health professionals, and third-party payers. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2005;1(3): 371–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Scopinaro N, Gianetta E, Adami GF, et al. Biliopancreatic diversion for obesity at eighteen years. Surgery. 1996;119(3):261–268.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Cooper TG, Noonan E, von Eckardstein S, et al. World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics. Hum Reprod Update. 2010;16(3):231–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Reis LO, Favaro WJ, Barreiro GC, et al. Erectile dysfunction and hormonal imbalance in morbidly obese male is reversed after gastric bypass surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Int J Androl. 2010;33(5):736–744.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Di Frega AS, Dale B, Di Matteo L, Wilding M. Secondary male factor infertility after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity: case report. Hum Reprod. 2005;20(4):997–998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Sermondade N, Massin N, Boitrelle F, et al. Sperm parameters and male fertility after bariatric surgery: three case series. Reprod Biomed Online. 2012;24(2):206–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Cummings DE, Overduin J, Foster-Schubert KE. Gastric bypass for obesity: mechanisms of weight loss and diabetes resolution. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(6):2608–2615.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hofny ER, Ali ME, Abdel-Hafez HZ, et al. Semen parameters and hormonal profile in obese fertile and infertile males. Fertil Steril. 2010;94(2):581–584.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hammoud AO, Wilde N, Gibson M, Parks A, Carrell DT, Meikle AW. Male obesity and alteration in sperm parameters. Fertil Steril. 2008;90(6):2222–2225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Qin DD, Yuan W, Zhou WJ, Cui YQ, Wu JQ, Gao ES. Do reproductive hormones explain the association between body mass index and semen quality? Asian J Androl. 2007;9(6):827–834.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Håkonsen LB, Thulstrup AM, Aggerholm AS, et al. Does weight loss improve semen quality and reproductive hormones? Results from a cohort of severely obese men. Reprod Health. 2011;8:24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Andersson AM, Carlsen E, Petersen JH, Skakkebaek NE. Variation in levels of serum inhibin B, testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and sex hormone-binding globulin in monthly samples from healthy men during a 17-month period: possible effects of seasons. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88(2):932–937.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Globerman H, Shen-Orr Z, Karnieli E, Aloni Y, Charuzi I. Inhibin B in men with severe obesity and after weight reduction following gastroplasty. Endocr Res. 2005;31(1):17–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Urology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Rua: Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Cidade Universitária “Zeferino Vaz”, Campinas, CEP: 13083-887, São Paulo, Brazil

    Leonardo Oliveira Reis MD, MSc, PhD, Emerson Luis Zani MD, PhD, Ricardo Destro Saad MD, PhD & Adriano Fregonesi MD, PhD

  2. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil

    Leonardo Oliveira Reis MD, MSc, PhD, Emerson Luis Zani MD, PhD, Ricardo Destro Saad MD, PhD, Elintom Adame Chaim MD, PhD & Adriano Fregonesi MD, PhD

  3. Laboratory of Physiology, Clinics Hospital, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil

    Laurione Cândido de Oliveira

Authors
  1. Leonardo Oliveira Reis MD, MSc, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Emerson Luis Zani MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ricardo Destro Saad MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Elintom Adame Chaim MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Laurione Cândido de Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Adriano Fregonesi MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leonardo Oliveira Reis MD, MSc, PhD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reis, L.O., Zani, E.L., Saad, R.D. et al. Bariatric Surgery Does not Interfere With Sperm Quality—A Preliminary Long-Term Study. Reprod. Sci. 19, 1057–1062 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719112440747

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719112440747

Keywords

Search

Navigation