Higher Body Fat Linked to Low Sperm Count, Testosterone. Here's Why

Higher body fat percentages are associated with lower sperm counts and changes in male reproductive hormones, including testosterone. Kate/E+/Getty Images Researchers say body fat measurements are a better predictor of male reproductive health than body mass index readings. They report that men with higher body fat percentages have lower sperm counts than men with lower body fat measurements. Men can potentially improve their reproductive health by maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and minimizing stress. Body fat percentage can be a better predictor of male reproductive health than body mass index (BMI), according to a new study. Researchers report that higher body fat percentages are associated with lower sperm counts and changes in male reproductive hormones, including testosterone. They said those associations persist even among males with normal BMI but higher body fat percentage. The researchers noted that males with a high body fat percentage generally had lower sperm counts than males with a normal body fat percentage. They added that the males with high body fat percentages also tended to have lower semen volume and sperm concentration. They c…