FRIDAY JULY 11, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Obese men make less semen, but more abnormal sperm, according to a new study presented at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Barcelona, Spain. Obese women have been found to be more likely to be infertile in early studies.The study of 2,037 men visiting Aberdeen Fertility Centre showed men with a normal body mass index had higher levels of normal sperm and more semen than those who were overweight or obese."Other studies have suggested an association between male obesity and increased DNA damage in the sperm, which can be associated with reduced fertility as well," Dr. Ghiyath Shayeb of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland said in a statement, quoted by Reuters.Shayeb said men who want to have a baby should do some homework to lose some pounds before proceeding to impregnate their partners.The researchers next would like to see how the low quality sperm would affect the odds of conception.

By Ben Wasserman, and edited by Heather Kelley.
Jul 11, 2008 - 7:54:48 AM