Obesity is associated with increased seminal insulin and leptin alongside reduced fertility parameters in a controlled male cohort

Table 1 Details of the cohort distributions and potential confounders with comparisons between the groups

	Cohort	Non-obese	Obese	P-value
	(n = 42)	(n = 19)	(n = 23)
Age distribution (years):
21–24	2.4	5.3	0	0.465
25–29	11.9	5.3	17.4	0.376
30–34	23.8	36.8	13.0	0.291
35–39	28.5	31.6	26.1	1.000
40–44	16.7	10.6	21.7	0.682
45-50	16.7	10.6	21.7	0.682
BMI:
18–24.9 (normal weight)	16.7	36.8	-	-
25–29.9 (over-weight)	28.5	63.2	-	-
30–34.9 (obese)	21.4	-	39.1	-
35–39.9 (morbidly obese)	21.4	-	39.1	-
40–44.9 (morbidly obese)	11.9	-	21.7	-
Demographics:
Caucasian	71.4	73.7	69.6	1.000
Coloured*	23.8	15.8	30.4	0.488
Black	4.8	10.6	0	0.221
Asian	-	-	-	-
Medications:
Hypertension	19.0	5.3	30.4	0.122
Cholesterol	14.3	5.3	21.7	0.378
COX inhibitors	7.1	0	13.0	0.251
Insulin Resistance:
(QUICKI < 0.357)	61.9	15.8	100	0.006
Sperm parameters:
Oligozoospermia	26.2	15.8	34.8	0.326
Asthenozoospermia	42.9	31.6	52.2	0.568
Necrozoospermia	61.9	52.6	69.6	0.622
Teratozoospermia	78.6	68.4	86.9	0.645
MMP	50.0	15.8	78.3	0.023
DF	42.9	15.8	65.2	0.043
Recent history of couple infertility	21.4	10.6	30.4	0.276

Variables are represented as percentages rounded to the nearest decimal point. Recent history of couple infertility was defined as an inability to achieve a conception with regular sexual intercourse over last 12 months. Sperm parameter definitions were based on WHO guidelines [6]. DF (percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA) = > 25% spermatozoa damaged [9]; percentage of spermatozoa with damaged mitochondria (MMP) = > 36% spermatozoa [28]. P-value was determined using Fisher’s Exact Test. *Couloured racial groups refers to a mixed ethnic origin with ancestry from Europe, Asia and various local tribes such as Khoisan that is unique to Southern African regions.

ISSN: 1477-7827