According to the European Journal of Endocrinology, boys who are overweight often have a smaller testicular volume, putting them at risk of infertility in adulthood

The researchers collected data on testicular volume, age, body mass index, and insulin resistance in 268 boys and adolescents.

Researchers from the University of Catania collected data on testicular volume, age, body mass index, and insulin resistance in 268 boys and adolescents.

They found that minors with normal weight had a testicular volume 1.5 times greater compared with those who were overweight or obese at peripubertal age. Boys and adolescents in the study with normal insulin levels had 1.5- to 2-fold greater testicular volume compared with those with hyperinsulinemia, a condition often associated with type 2 diabetes in which patients have higher levels of insulin. insulin in the blood.

Thus, those with overweight or obesity, hyperinsulinemia, or insulin resistance showed lower testicular volume than their healthy counterparts. Since lower testicular volume predicts poorer sperm production in adulthood, the researchers believe that weight loss could help patients avoid infertility in the future.

“Although the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide, the impact of obesity and associated metabolic disorders on testicular growth is not well understood,” according to Rossella Cannarella, co-author of the study.

Cannarella concludes that being overweight or obese is associated with a lower peripubertal testicular volume. “In addition, obesity-related comorbidities such as hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance have been found to influence testicular volume before and after puberty. Therefore, more careful monitoring of body weight in childhood could represent a prevention strategy to maintain testicular function later in life,” he concludes.

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