EFFECT OF BODY WEIGHT ON SPERM CONCENTRATION IN NORMOZOOSPERMIC MALES

Abstract
A total of 274 men (aged: 26 +/- 4.9 years) with normozoospermia were enrolled into this study. Their body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) varied between 17 and 39. According to BMI, the patients were divided into four groups: Group 1: 17-20, Group 2: 20.1-25, Group 3: 25.1-30 and Group 4: 30.1-39. Twenty-nine subjects were found in the first, 96 in the second, 91 in the third and 58 men in the fourth group. Sperm concentration was significantly lower in the obese group (29 x 10(6)/ml, p < 0.05) than in the group of BMI 17-20, 20-25 and 25-30. In advance, in the obese group, sperm count continuously decreased with aging. We conclude that obesity is associated with a lower sperm count in case of normozoospermia.