Male infertility and obesity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The increasing rate of obesity is having an adverse impact on male reproduction.

RECENT FINDINGS: The negative effect of reactive oxygen species on male reproductive tissues and the age of onset of obesity are new areas of research on male infertility.

SUMMARY: This review highlights how obesity impairs male reproduction through complex mechanisms, including metabolic syndrome, lipotoxicity, sexual dysfunction, hormonal and adipokine alterations as well as epigenetic changes, and how new management strategies may improve the reproductive health of men throughout life.