Correlation between body mass index and semen quality in male infertility patients

Background/aim: The question of whether body mass index (BMI) affects semen quality and male fertility is controversial. The purpose of this research was to determine whether there is a correlation between BMI and semen analysis parameters. Materials and methods: A total of 617 male infertility patients were recruited and separated into 3 groups according to BMI values as follows: normal weight group (n = 334), overweight group (n = 220), and obese group (n = 63). Height and weight were measured and a routine semen analysis was performed for all patients. Results: Significant differences existed in BMI, age, and sperm motility (progressive motility) among the 3 groups. BMI and abstinence period were negatively correlated with sperm motility (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), although they did not correlate with semen volume, total sperm number, concentration, and rate of sperm with normal morphology (P > 0.05). Abstinence, BMI, and age had a linear correlation with sperm motility (P < 0.01) in that order of influence. Conclusion: Sperm motility, an important semen parameter with respect to male fertility, is reduced in men with increased BMI, and BMI is one of the risk factors that influence semen quality.