Green tea's impact on fertility hormones and oxidative stress markers in obese males with different gonadal statuses in Onitsha, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the effects of 12-week green tea supplementation on fertility hormones and oxidative stress markers in obese males with varying gonadal statuses.

DESIGN

A 12-week interventional study measuring hormonal and oxidative stress changes pre- and post-supplementation.

SETTING

Conducted in Onitsha, Anambra State, involving community-dwelling obese males categorised by gonadal status.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred obese males (aged 29-50) were categorised into Eugonadism, Compensatory Hypogonadism, and Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism groups. Normal-weight eugonadic males served as controls. Participants were selected based on BMI and gonadal hormone levels.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants consumed two bags of green tea infused in 150 mL of boiled water daily for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months. Hormonal levels: luteinising hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, and oestradiol were measured using ELISA, while oxidative stress markers: malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analysed colourimetrically.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: changes in oxidative stress markers and reproductive hormone levels post-supplementation.

RESULTS

Obese participants had significantly higher MDA and lower TAC and GPx than controls (p<0.05). Green tea significantly reduced MDA, oestradiol, and prolactin, whereas it increased TAC, GPx, and testosterone (p < 0.05). LH and FSH were normalised in Eugonadic and Compensatory Hypogonadic groups but remained elevated in Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism.

CONCLUSIONS

Green tea supplementation reduced oxidative stress and improved hormonal balance in obese males, suggesting its potential for managing obesity-related reproductive dysfunction. Further studies should explore long-term effects.