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The Role of Obesity in ROS Generation and Male Infertility

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Studies on Men's Health and Fertility

Abstract

Aim: To discuss the relationship between obesity and male infertility, specifically exploring the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in obesity and the subsequent generation of oxidative stress, as well as abnormal hypothalamus-­pituitary-gonadal regulation associated with obese males. Methods: Review of PubMed database. Results: Both enhanced ROS generation and abnormal hormonal regulation due to obesity are strongly correlated to suboptimal semen quality and, thus, reduced male reproductive potential. Conclusion: The continuing rise and prevalence of both obesity and declining male sperm count all over the world call for additional research and a greater awareness to obesity as a potential etiology of male infertility.

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Acknowledgment

The authors are grateful for the research support from the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Cleveland Clinic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Anthony H. Kashou BS

  2. Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Avenue, 19063, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

    Stefan S. du Plessis PhD, MBA

  3. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Lerner College of Medicine, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Ashok Agarwal PhD

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  1. Anthony H. Kashou BS
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  2. Stefan S. du Plessis PhD, MBA
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  3. Ashok Agarwal PhD
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Correspondence to Ashok Agarwal PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Faculty of Science and IT, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive 1, Callaghan, 2308, New South Wales, Australia

    R. John Aitken

  3. , Department of Male Infertility, Centro Androgen, C/FERNANDO MACIAS 8, 1ºC, La Coruña, 15004, La Coruña, Spain

    Juan G. Alvarez

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Kashou, A.H., du Plessis, S.S., Agarwal, A. (2012). The Role of Obesity in ROS Generation and Male Infertility. In: Agarwal, A., Aitken, R., Alvarez, J. (eds) Studies on Men's Health and Fertility. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-776-7_26

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