Weight-loss surgery could make men INFERTILE

Only 4% father children after having the operation versus 13% who do so before
This is despite weight, sexual quality of life and hormone levels all improving
It’s unclear if resolving abnormal hormones and micronutrients cures infertility
Researchers from the Hospital das Clinicas in São Paulo analysed 79 men
All the participants completed a questionnaire about their sexual quality of life

By Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 15:07 BST, 11 September 2017 | Updated: 15:07 BST, 11 September 2017

Weight-loss surgery could make men infertile, new research suggests.

Semen abnormalities occur in 57.1 per cent of men after having bariatric surgery, a study found.

Only four per cent of the study’s 79 participants fathered children after having the procedure, compared to 13 per cent before, the research adds.

Dr Edward Lin, editor-in-chief of the journal Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care, which published the study, said: ‘This study is one important piece in solving the puzzle of male infertility.

‘The challenge is to see if correcting hormonal and micronutrient aberrations are enough to reverse male infertility.’

Semen abnormalities occur in 57.1 per cent of men after having bariatric surgery (stock)

WHY A VEGETARIAN DIET GUARANTEES WEIGHT-LOSS SUCCESS

Dieters who follow a vegetarian eating plan lose nearly twice as much weight as calorie-restricting meat eaters, research revealed in June.

Cutting 500 calories a day and adopting a plant-based diet results in an average weight loss of 13.67lbs (6.2kg) after six months, compared to 7.05lbs (3.2kg) in meat eaters, a study found.

Researchers believe this may be due to vegetarian diets changing our fat storage and insulin sensitivity, as well as making us feel more energized, which encourages people to stick to their eating plan.

Lead author Dr Hana Kahleova from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington DC, said: ‘A diet built around plants is naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which leaves us feeling energized and refreshed instead of hungry and fatigued.

‘Part of the reason a vegetarian diet works so well for many people is because it’s easy to stick to.’

How the research was carried out

Researchers from the Hospital das Clinicas in São Paulo analysed men who were attempting to conceive with their partner.

Of the study’s participants, 23 were followed for at least five years after having bariatric surgery; 23 for two years after having the operation; 18 were obese but did not have the procedure; and 15 were of a healthy weight.

All of the participants completed a questionnaire asking them about their sexual quality of life.

They were also assessed for their blood glucose, testosterone, vitamin D, zinc and semen levels.

Semen abnormalities affect 57.1% after surgery

Results reveal semen abnormalities occur in up to 57.1 per cent of men two years after having bariatric surgery.

Only four per cent of the study’s participants fathered children after having the procedure, compared to 13 per cent who did so before, however, this is not a significant outcome.

Such results occurred despite sexual quality of life, weight and hormone levels all improving.

It is unclear why these findings occurred.

Dr Lin said: ‘This study is one important piece in solving the puzzle of male infertility.

‘The challenge is to see if correcting hormonal and micronutrient aberrations are enough to reverse male infertility.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk