Obese Men and Fertility...

No guy likes talking about the health of their man parts. If it wasn't for the commercialization of prostate cancer screenings, most men wouldn't even know they have a prostate.

But, despite the awkwardness, let's talk sperm! Researchers have determined obese men have lower sperm counts and lower quality sperm than leaner men.

The study, appearing in Fertility and Sterility, claims obese men are 3 times more likely to have lower sperm counts and are at triple the risk of having fewer motile sperm, i.e. sperm that swim in a straight line.

Researchers evaluated 390 men: 24% of the guys were at normal weight, 43% were overweight and 33% were obese.

The examination revealed the incidence of low sperm count increased as BMI rose. Overall, compared to men of normal weight, obese guys were 3.3 times more likely to have low sperm counts, 3.4 times more likely to have fewer motile sperm and obese men were 1.6 times more likely to have abnormally shaped sperm.

An association between high BMI and erectile dysfunction may also exist, but the data was unclear.

And previous research has indicated extra body fat can impair male fertility because fat lowers testosterone levels, but increases estrogen, which clarifies the whole man boobs thing.

Via Reuters.